64 THE VITALITY AND GERMINATION OF SEEDS. 



In comparing the average results shown in Table XXV, it will be 

 seen that diU'ercnt seeds behave very differently under practically iden- 

 tical conditions. The list of seeds has been arranged according to 

 their loss of vitality as represented by those kept in envelopes under 

 trade conditions, as shown in the fourth coluuni. The tomato seed 

 gave a loss in vitality of 5.20 per cent, being the most resistant to the 

 unfavorable climatic conditions. Phlox, on the other hand, germinated 

 onl}^ 7.62 per cent, representing a loss in vitality of 85.86 per cent. 



Likewise the same seeds behave very difl'erentl}' under slightly 

 different conditions, as will be seen by comparing the percentages of 

 deterioration in the case of seeds kept in envelopes under trade condi- 

 tions, in dry rooms, and in basements. In dry rooms the order, except 

 the peas, is the same as for trade conditions. The loss of vitality in 

 the seeds stored in the dry rooms was uniformly less than for those 

 stored under trade conditions, excepting for the peas and beans; but 

 in the series from the basements there was great irregularity. The 

 loss in vitality for the most part was uniformly greater than under 

 trade conditions or in dry rooms save in the last five — cabbage, carrot, 

 onion, pansy, and phlox — where the loss was less in the case of those 

 kept in the basements. This indicates that these five species of seed 

 are less susceptible to the evil effects of a moist atmosphere when the 

 temperature is relativel}^ low. 



The relative value of these three conditions for storing seeds in 

 paper packets is best obtained by a comparison of the general averages. 

 The average losses in vitally for the thirteen different samples of seed 

 which were kept at the eight different stations were as follows: Trade 

 conditions, 36.63 per cent; dry rooms, 21.19 per cent; basements, 42.28 

 per cent. From these results it is quite clear that seeds put up in paper 

 packages will retain their vitality nuich better if kept in dry, artificially 

 heated rooms than if they are subjected to trade conditions or stored 

 in basements. 



But another comparison needs yet to be made, and is the most impor- 

 tant of the series, i. e., the vitality of seeds when kept in closely 

 corked bottles. In the majority of cases there was l)ut little deviation 

 from the control samples, and many of the samples germinated even 

 better where the seeds were kept in bottles. The "A" sweet corn 

 offers the best illustration of the increased germination. At the same 

 time the " B" sample of sweet corn was very nnich injured. Here are 

 two samples of the same variety of corn behaving very differently 

 when kept in bottles. This difference in vitalit}^ is directl}^ attributed 

 to the greater quantity of water in sample " B," showing the necessity 

 of thoroughl}^ drying seeds if the}^ are to be put up in closed vessels. 

 A comparison of the general averages of the bottle samples and of 

 those kept in envelopes indicates that the former is far superior to the 

 latter as a method for preserving the vitality of seeds. Under trade 

 conditions the loss in vitality was 36.63 per cent in envelopes and 



