272 



STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



mining i£ minor variations in depth of planting exert any influence npon 

 results of seed tests. Seventy-two tests were made upon tomatoes, one half 

 of the seeds in each test being sown one fourth inch deep, and half one 

 half inch deep. They were all sown in the house during March and April, 

 in potting soil in 22-inch flats. The figures of these tests are too extended 

 for presentation here. The average total germination from the samples 

 sown one half inch deep was 87.07%, and from those sown one fourth inch 

 86.92%. The difference is only three twentieths of one per cent. As a 

 rule, plants appeared sooner from the ^ inch samples, as might be expected. 

 In some cases, however, the ^ inch samples gave the earliest visible results, 

 probably because the soil, in these instances, was more uniformly moist at 

 the greater depth. The general behavior of seeds at these depths, as regards 

 rapidity of appearing, is shown in the following test of cauliflower seeds: 



CAULIFLOWER. 



Thorhurn's Gilt-Edge Snowball.- — Thorburn. — 125 seeds in potting soil 

 in 22-inch flat. No. 1, ^-inch deep. No. 2, ^-inch deep. Sown April 4. 



Essentially the same results were observed in the case of the Green 

 Flageolet beans. 



From the foregoing figures and remarks we may conclude as follows : 



1. In tomatoes, there is no evidence that per cent, of germination is 

 influenced by variations from one fourth to one half inch in total depth of 

 planting; and there is indication that the same may be said of other plants. 



2. The greater rapidity of appearing of the plants in ^ inch plantings as 

 compared with i- inch plantings, is only such as is due to the fact that in 

 the shallower plantings there is less soil for the plaiitlet to push through. 



DO OLD SEEDS OF CUCURBITS GIVE SHORTER VINES THAN RECENT 



SEEDS? 



There is a belief that new or fresh seeds of squashes, pumpkins, and 

 melons produce plants which "run to vine" more than those from old seeds; 

 and this supposed redundance of vegetation is considered to exist at the 

 expense of fruitfulness. An extensive test was made upon this point last 

 season. The following species and varieties were grown: Squashes: White 

 Bush Scallop, 3 ages, Summer Crookneck, 2 ages. Watermelons: Peerless, 

 2 ages. Mountain Sprout, 4 ages. Black Spanish, 3 ages. Muskmelons: 

 Nutmeg, 3 ages. Improved Canteloupe, 2 ages. Cucumbers: Long Green 

 4 ages, Short Green, 3 ages. Early Cluster, 2 ages. The age of the seeds 

 ranged from one to six years. About 450 plants were grown, all of which 

 were measured, including the laterals, and records were made of the num- 

 bers and weights of fruits. The plantation occupied a poor piece of land, 

 with no other enrichment than a thin sod which was plowed under. The 

 land had not been cropped for some years, and was therefore uniform in 



