334 Bulletin 312 



bility of using more improved machinery in planting; and the probable 

 killing of anthracnose spores on the seed. 



Since the clover seed was given a soil test, it was decided to do the same 

 with cotton seed. With this in mind, two lots of about one gallon each 

 were treated with acid, washed with water, and dried, and arrangements 

 were made with E. T. Coker, Society Hill, S. C, to grow the seed together 

 with some untreated seed of the same lots. This treated seed was planted 

 in alternate rows with the untreated, and careful notes were kept by 

 Mr. Coker. The seed was planted April 27, 191 1, in very dry soil. On 

 May 4 Mr. Coker reports, " Cotton cracking the ground, delinted seed 

 showing most cracks on all rows "; and on May 5, " Cotton partly up, 

 delinted seed showing most plants up for every row." On May 10 the 

 hills up were counted, with the following results : 



1 909 seed 



1910 seed 



On June 8, a count of all plants, both 1909 and 1910, was made with 

 the following results: treated, 521; untreated, 485. 



There was no apparent difference in the vigor of the plants from either 

 treated or untreated seed. Mr. Coker states that if the seed could be delinted 

 on a large scale it wovdd take less than half as much seed to plant an acre 

 as it does at present. 



SUMMARY 



The results of the foregoing investigations may be summarized in the 

 following manner : 



1. Data have been given to show the increase in germination secured 

 by treating red clover seed with concentrated sulfuric acid. 



2. Similar results were obtained from sweet clover, alsike, Japan clover, 

 alfalfa, and white clover. 



3. The effect of the treatment was still apparent after the seed had been 

 allowed to dry out before germination. 



4. Many varieties of weed seeds commonly found in samples of clover 

 or alfalfa seeds were killed by the acid treatment. The germination of 

 other kinds of weed seeds was either benefited by the treatment or was 

 not affected. 



5. Cotton seed was easily delinted and the germination thereby increased 

 and hastened by the acid treatment. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



These recommendations are made for the benefit of any who may desire 

 to treat seed with sulfuric acid : 



