120 



Bulletin 244. 



being 15 per cent, and 83 per cent. In 1904, Wiltshire and Belgian, two 

 useful varieties for stock-feeding, were sown, but were absolute failures 

 owing to poor seed. Not one per cent, of the seed would grow although 

 sown under particularly favorable conditions. Carrot seed costs 60 cents 

 to $1 per lb., and, taking the lower figure, it is evident that in the case 



Fig. 32.- — Soil in fine tilth and a mellow seed-bed are prime requisites 

 for sviccessful root crop culture. 



of Carter 100-Ton carrot which tests 15 per cent, germination power, the 

 actual cost of one pound of seed, which would grow, was, not 60 cents 

 but $4.00. 



The number of " seeds " in a pound of mangel seed we found to vary 

 from 32,000 to 185,000 and the germination power from 73 to 185 per 

 cent. This is of considerable importance in seeding, since it will require 

 16 pounds of seed per acre in one case to give as many plants as would 

 be secured from six pounds per acre of another. 



