— 212 — 



Essentially the same results were observed in the case of the 

 Green Flageolet Beans. 



From the foregoing figures and remarks we may conclude as 

 follows : 



1. In tomatoes, there is no evidence that per cent, of germina- 

 tion is influenced by variations from one-fourth to one-half inch 

 in total depth of planting ; and there is indication that the same 

 may be said of other plants. 



2. The greater rapidity of appearing of the plants in }{ inch 

 plantings as compared with )^ inch plantings, is only such as is 

 due to the fact that in the shallower plantings there is less soil 

 for the plantlet to push through. 



DO OLD SEEDS OF CUCURBITS GIVE SHORTER VINES 

 THAN RECENT SEEDS ? 



There is a belief that new or fresh seeds of squashes, pumpkins, 

 and melons produce plants which "run to vine" more that those 

 from old seeds ; and this supposed redundance of vegetation is 

 considered to exist at the expense of fruitfulness. An extensive 

 test was made upon this point last season. The following species 

 and varieties were grown : Squashes: White Bush Scallop, 3 ages. 

 Summer Crookneck, 2 ages. Watermelons : Peerless, 2 ages, 

 Mountain Sprout, 4 ages, Black Spanish, 3 ages. Muskmelons : 

 Nutmeg, 3 ages. Improved Canteloupe, 2 ages. Cucumbers : 

 Long Green, 4 ages, Short Green, 3 ages, Early Chester, 2 ages. 

 The age of the seeds ranged from one to six years. About 450 

 plants were grown, all of which were measured, including the 

 laterals, and records were made of the numbers and weights of 

 fruits. The plantation occupied a poor piece of land, with no other 

 enrichment than a thin sod which was plowed under. The land 

 had not been cropped for some years, and was therefore uniform in 

 character, and well adapted to the experiment. The figures are 

 much too extended to be presented here. 



There was no evidence whatever that older seeds give shorter 

 and more productive vines. In fact, there was no uniformity of be- 

 havior between seeds of like ages. The largest vines in some in- 



