1. Seeds of Cornus florida are dormant when the fruit is mature. This dormancy, which is caused by embryo and endosperm characters, cannot be broken by treatments with acids, ether, or ethylene. 2. A period of 100-130 days at 0⚬, 5⚬, or 10⚬ C. is most effective for after-ripening, which may be defined as that change in the endosperm and embryo of the seed in consequence of which the seed is able to germinate at ordinary temperatures (15⚬-27⚬). 3. The changes apparent during after-ripening are increase in starch, sugar, and amino acids, with little or no change in fats, acidity, or phosphatides. 4. Germination consists of a rather sudden swelling of the embryo and endosperm, sufficient to break the stony coat followed by the elongation of the hypocotyl. The cotyledons remain within the endosperm, acting as haustoria (43) until all the food reserves are exhausted, after which they function as leaves. 5. After-ripening conditions of cold moist storage may be obtained in mixtures of seeds with sand or peat pl...