-67- 



object of seed tests is to determine how iiiatiy seeds are viable and 

 what is their relative vigor ; if planting shows poorer results, be- 

 cause of covering too deeply or too shallow, by exposing to great 

 extremes of temperature or moisture or a score of other untoward 

 conditions, the sample cannot be held to account for the short- 

 coming. The following table indicates the extent of variation 

 which may be expected between tests and actual plantings of 

 seeds from the same samples : 



52. Various samples tested in-doors and actually planted in the 

 field. The seeds were sown in the field June 5, and the last notes 

 were taken from them July 5. They were sown on a gravelly knoll. 

 Rain fell about every alternate day, and the soil was in good con- 

 dition for germination throughout the month. The in-door tests 

 were made in loose potting earth, or in sand in seed-pans. 



CONCLUSION. 



1. The table indicates that actual planting in the field gives 

 fewer germinations than careful tests in conditions under control. 

 This difference in total of germination, even under favorable con- 

 ditions of planting, may amount to over 50 percent. 



2. In planting, due allowance should be made for the compara- 

 tively bungling methods of field practice by the use of greater 

 quantities of seeds than would seem, from the results of tests, to 

 be sufficient. 



