— 62 



VII. COLOR OF SEED IN RELATION TO 



SPROUTING. 



Color may be assumed to indicate, in most cases, some vital char- 

 acter of the seed, as determined by various causes. In one species, 

 or even in one individual sample, it may indicate a different charac- 

 ter than the same color does in another species or sample. It may in- 

 dicate degree of maturity, method of curing, age of seed, or other 

 peculiarity. It is to be expected, therefore, that color may some- 

 times designate more or less accurately the germinative vitality of 

 the seed. It follows, however, that no general law of relation of 

 color to germination can be announced : every species, and some- 

 times every sample, must be investigated for the law which gov- 

 erns itself. Many tests in this direction have been made, but one 

 example will show something of the extent of variation in seeds 

 of different colors : 



49. Bean, Greeyi Flageolet. — Dreer. 



50 beans in soil on a bench. 



No. I, white beans, Yz inch deep. 



No. 2, green-colored beans, ^ inch deep. 



No. 3, white beans, ij-^ inch deep. 



No. 4, green-colored beans, xyi inch deep. 



SOWN MAY 6. 



Epitome. — Sproutings were most rapid, and higher in total per 

 cent, in the green-colored samples. 



This test was twice repeated with similarly marked results. The 

 same varietj' from the Department of Agriculture gave opposite 

 results, however. 



