RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Burbidge, Cultivated plants, their propagation and improvement. CUL-DAR69.B31. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 4.2023. RN1
NOTE: Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR69 contains material for new editions of some of Darwin's books: supplemental note for Descent (2d ed. 1877), French trans. of 5th & 6th eds. of Origin; Coral reefs (2d ed. 1874); Coral reefs (3d ed. 1889); Climbing plants (2d ed. 1875); and Cross and self fertilisation (2d ed. 1878).
Burbidge, F. W. 1877. Cultivated plants, their propagation and improvement. Edinburgh & London. Darwin cited this in Cross and self fertilisation, p. 355.
[B31]
Burbidge — on Propagation) size of seeds effects on growth of seedlings p. 34.
(Cross-Fertilisation)
[Cross and self fertilisation, p. 355: "Unfortunately the relative weight of the two lots of seeds was ascertained in only a few instances in which their germination was observed; but with Ipomœa and I believe with some of the other species, the relative lightness of the self-fertilised seeds apparently determined their early germination, probably owing to the smaller mass being favourable to the more rapid completion of the chemical and morphological changes necessary for germination.*
* Mr. J. Scott remarks ('Manual of Opium Husbandry,' 1877, p. 131) that the smaller seeds of Papaver somniferum germinate first. He also states that the larger seeds yield the finer crop of plants. With respect to this latter subject see an abstract in Burbidge's 'Cultivated Plants,' 1877, p. 33, on the important experiments showing the same results, by Dr. Marck and Prof. Lehmann."]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 27 August, 2023