50 



III. INFLUENCES OF THE SOAKING OF 

 SEEDS BEFORE SOWING. 



It is a common practice in both field operations and seed-testing 

 to soak seeds in water before sowing. The following tests indi- 

 dicate very clearly the leading results of this custom. In this con- 

 nection it is interesting to study results with the Geneva seed- 

 tester, which tests seeds by soaking them. A number of tests 

 were made with the Geneva tester in comparison with sowing in 

 potting soil in forcing house. The results, which are too extended 

 to be detailed here, indicate that higher sprouting tests are given 

 by the Geneva tester than by planting under known conditions. 

 Ten tests in each case with Marblehead Mammoth Cabbage seeds 

 gave an average germination of 88 per cent, in the tester, against 

 77.6 per cent, in the soil. The earliness at which the sprouting is 

 visible in the tester, renders testing expeditious. But it must be 

 remembered that full germination cannot often be secured in the 

 apparatus. (Cf. § IX.) 



30. Carrot, Early Forcbig. — Thorburn. 



icx) carpels in lo-inch seed-pans, sown Yz inch deep in sand. 



No. I, dry. . 



No. 2, soaked in water 10 hours before sowing. 



No. 3, soaked in water 36 hours before sowing. 



SOWN MAY 18. 



Epitome. — Sprouting was most rapid in the seeds which had 

 been soaked 10 hours, and slowest in those which had not been 

 soaked. The total percentages were essentially the same, al- 

 though the seeds soaked 10 hours gave the best results by 8 per 

 cent. 



