Rural School Leaflet. 903 



weight. The remainder is divided by the total weight. The quotient 

 represents the percentage of pnre seeds. 



Very few of the readers of this Leaflet have the facilities for doing this 

 careful work, but it is possible to reach approximate results in a simpler 

 manner. Take a small quantity of timothy seed, say one-fourth 

 teaspoonful or less. Spread this sample thinly on a sheet of blank 

 paper. Separate everything from it which is not timothy, remembering 

 that every seed which is not timothy is a weed seed. It may be seed 

 of a useful plant, yet if it is mixed with the timothy it is a weed seed. 

 Now count the timothy seeds and all other material separately. Divide 

 the number of pure seeds by the total number. This will give the per- 

 centage of timothy. Many other farm seeds, such as clovers and alfalfa, 

 may be tested in the same manner. This operation requires that the 

 experimenter be able to distinguish seeds of various crops. If there is 

 any doubt in the matter the local seedsman or any good farmer will be 

 able to give assistance. 



In order to determine the viability of seeds a germination test is 

 necessary. The simplest form of a germinator consists of a pie pan 

 covered with a square pane of glass. One hundred seeds are placed on 

 a piece of clean blotting paper which has been moistened with water. 

 Another moist blotter is placed over this. The cover should fit tightly 

 over the pan in order that none of the water may escape. If the blotters 

 should become dry in a few days a very small amount of water should 

 be applied. This germinator is suitable only for small seeds, as the 

 clovers, grasses, and flower seeds. When the sprouts on most of the 

 seeds are one-fourth to one inch long, the ones which have germinated 

 should be counted. This will give the percentage of viability. If 

 a second test shows a low percentage of live seeds the seeds should be 

 discarded or a larger amount sown on a given area. From 90% to 

 95% germination is considered good for most seeds. 



For testing corn, beans, melons, and other seeds of equal size, select a 

 box of any convenient size, about four inches deep. Fill one-half 

 full of sawdust which has been moistened thoroughly. Over this tack 

 a piece of cheese cloth marked off in squares. For testing ears of corn, 

 these squares should be numbered. The numbers should correspond 

 with numbers attached to the ears of corn. The numbered ears of corn 

 should be arranged consecutively and placed where they will not be 

 disturbed until the test is finished. Take up ear No. i. Remove two 

 kernels of corn from near the tip, turn the ear one-third around and 

 remove two more kernels from the center. Now turn it around another 



