38 



The Bulletin. 



THE GERMINATION TEST. 



Xot less impoiTant than avoiding impure seeds is the avoidance of 

 seeds having \o^\■ or no \itality, wliich fact can be determined only by 

 the germination test. An illustration of the dili'erence in the germi- 

 nating quality of seeds found on the open market is shown by the illus- 

 tration on the cover page, of two germination tests of eoAvpeas. These 

 tests were made at the same time and given identically the same condi- 

 tions; in fact, the tests Avere placed side by side in the germinating 

 chamber. In case of one sample there was no germination, while the 

 other germinated 100 per cent. BetAveen these tAvo extremes there are 

 all grades of seeds having high or Ioav germination, and this is true of 

 all the different kinds. As it is possible to obtain good high-grade 

 seed, no farmer should be AAdlling to take the risk of purchasing seed 

 whose germinating quality he did not knoAv nor be satisfied Avitli only a 

 fair-grade seed. Partial or total failure of crops is often due to no other 

 reason than that the seed planted Avill not groAv. 



At the laboratory the germination tests can be made somewhat more 

 accurately, as Avith the germinating chambers the seeds can be given 

 the temperatures most favorable for their groAvtli. Kentucky blue-grass 

 and a feAv other grasses are given special conditions ; they are groAvn 

 under small glass bell jars and the seedbed is kept saturated by means 

 of a Avick extending from a piece of cotton flannel cloth placed under 

 the blotting paper upon Avhich the seeds are germinated doAvn into a 

 tray of Avater ; but in case of the majority of seeds the germination test 

 can successfully be made at home. 



Afli'i- r. .V. Di'iil. of Agi: 

 Fig. 2. Simple Germinator for Home Testing. 



The sample shuidd be mixed tliuruughly, then 100 seeds connted out 

 just as they come, no selection being made. These should then be placed, 

 not touching, on moist cotton flannel cloth or blotting paper betAveen 

 tAvo dinner plates. The simple germinator thus made is shoAvn in P^ig. 2. 

 The seeds should be kept at room temperature or at about TO*^ F. Seeds 

 Avhich sprout quickly are more vigorous than those Avhich take a longer 

 time, and it is, therefore, advisable to make at least two counts of the 

 spi'onte(l seeds, as by doing this the per cent of vigorous seeds can be 

 determined as Avell as the total per cent that will groAv. It is Avell to 

 make the first count at the end of half the time given the entire test. 

 All good seeds Avill liave germinated in tlie length of time given for the 



