20 VITALITY OF BURIED SEEDS. 



Seeds of tlie cultivated plants, with but few exceptions, lose their 

 vitality when buried in the soil. 



Seeds of the plants conimonl}^ designated as weeds retain their vital- 

 it}^ remarkably well when buried in the soil. 



In general, the pernicious character of weeds is directly proportional 

 to the lentrth of time the seeds will remain viable when buried in the 

 soil. 



The deeper seeds are buried, the better is vitality preserved. 



Hard seeds of the same species retain their vitality much better 

 than those with softer seed coats. 



Unhulled seed, especially of the grasses, is more resistant than hulled 

 seed, and the vitalit}' is always better preserved. 



Seeds of plants from the same genus often retain their vitality in a 

 ver}" different degree. 



Vitality is best preserved, even in weed seeds, when the seeds are 

 carefull}^ harvested and stored in a dry and comparatively cool place. 



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