CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Introduction 9 



Materials and methods 10 



Seeds 10 



Germination tests and apparatus 11 



Effect of climatic conditions on the vitality of seeds 13 



Causes of tlie losses in viUility in different climates 22 



Effect of moisture and tem|)erature upon vitality 24 



Seeds packed in ice 26 



Effect of moisture on vitality ut higher temperaturi's 29 



Summary 35 



Effect of definite quantities of moisture on the vitality of seeds when they are 



kept within certain known limits of temperature 36 



A comparison of methods of storing anil shipping seeds in order to protect 

 them from moisture, and consequently to insure a better preservation of 



vitality -i-l 



Suggestions of earlier investigators 44 



The necessity for thoroughly curing and drying seeds 45 



Character of the seed warehouse or storage room 46 



The value of good seed to the market gardener 46 



Shipping seeds in charcoal, moss, etc 47 



Nature of the experiments 47 



Disposition of the samples 48 



Results of the germination tests - 50 



Experiments in keeping and shipping .seeds in special packages 65 



Eespiration of seeds "■! 



Summary 81 



Enzymes in seeds and the part they play in the preservation of vitality 82 



Summary ^' 



Literature cited - 90 



7 



