LABORATORN MANUAL OF HORTICULTURE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF METHODS, EQUIPJIENT, AND APPARATUS -- PREFACE - This manual contains the exercises that have been given in connection with the work in General Horticulture at the Ohio State University, Michigan Agricultural College, and University of Nebraska. It is a modest attempt to fill a place that, for a long time, has seemed to be vacant. The aim is to give the student an outline by which he can better grasp some of the fundamental princi- ples of horticulture, and an opportunity to learn by actual ex- perimentation and obsel-vation the reasons for certain necessary operations in horticulture. It is the object of this manual to give explicit directions for every detail of the wokk. In certain exercises it may be impos- sible for the student to do all the tasks outlined, but only such parts as are suited to the conditions under which the student is working should be attempted. This must be determined by the instructor, who, it is hoped, will select those exercises that are most practicable for his class. The drawings asked for and the questions raised in the sev- eral exercises are designed to bring out fundamental principles and important points as well as to fix firmly in the mind of the student the. necessity of careful anci systematic work. The author has made use of suggestions found in other works, and has endeavored to bring together the information that will be the most helpful to the student, and to present it in such a manner that it will be of value to the beginner. He makes no claim of completeness for this outline only such exercises have been includecl as seem best adapted to a general course in horti- culture. JIost of these exercises can be done in the laboratory, but after the fundamental principles have been thoroughly mastered field practice should be given in pruning, spraying, etc. The exercises are arranged in groups which naturally fall under a common head. It is not likely that the instructor can begin with the first exercise ancl continue uninterruptedly to the E LABORATORY MANUAL OF HORTICULTURE last he will probably find it desirable to make the order in which the exercises are used confornl to the work in hand. For instance, if the discussion is on buds and pruning, it will be advisable to turn to that section and work out those exercises. If the discussion is on seeds, then the laboratory exercises deal- ing with germination of seeds should be assigned, and so on through the book. Care should be taken, however, not to assign tasks based on preceding exercises that have not been already worked out or discussed. The author wishes to express his appreciation to Professor Wendell Paddock of the Ohio State University, Professors R. A. Einerson and J. R. Cooper of the University of Nebraska, and others for valuable suggestions offered in connection with this work. GEORGE l. HOOD CONTENTS EXERCISES PAGE I . Comparative study of seed-testers ......... 2 I1 . Seed-testing .................. . G I11 . Seed vitality limited by age ............ . 10 IV . Absorption of water by seeds ........... . 12 V . Germination hastened by soaking seeds ....... . 10 V1 . The effect of drought on germinating seeds ..... . 18 V11 . Seeds treated wit11 chemicals to hasten germination . . . 20 V111 . The effect of commercial-fertilizer solutions on seeds . . 24 IS . The action of fungicides on seeds ......... . 20 S . A study of bulbs ................ . 28 S1 . A study of corms ................ . 30 S11 . A study of soft or green wood cuttings ....... . 32 S111 . A study of leaf cuttings ............. . 36 SIV . A study of root cuttings ............. . 38 SV ...