The secondary heads manifestly
leave this period at a somewhat later stage.
In order to prove the accuracy of this conclusion I have tried to injure
the anomalies after the expiration of the first six or seven weeks. I
deprived them of their leaves, and damaged them in different ways. I
succeeded in making them very weak and slender, without being able to
diminish the number of the supernumerary carpels. The proportionality of
the size of the central fruit and the development of the surrounding
crown can often be modified or even destroyed by this means, and the
apparent exceptions from this rule, which are often observed, may find
their explanation in this way.
In the second place I have tried to change the development of the
anomaly during the period of sensibility, and even in the last part of
it. This experiment succeeded fully when carried out within the fifth or
sixth week after the beginning of the germination. As means of injury I
transplanted the young plants. To this end I sowed my seeds in pans in
unmanured soil, planted them out in little pots with richly prepared
earth, grew them in these during a few weeks and afterwards transferred
them to the [387] beds, taking care that the pats were removed, but the
balls of earth not broken.
In consequence of this treatment the plants became very large and
strong, with luxuriant foliage and relatively numerous large flowers and
fruits.
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