19 



made with a double-shovel plow ; the shallow with a spriug-tooth cul- 

 tivator. The diftereiice iu average weight of stalks and bushels per 

 acre of coru was slight. The experiment was impaired by early frost. 



BULLETIN No. 10, FEBRUARY, 1889. 



The germination of frosted grain, C. A. Keffer (pp. 3-S).— 

 This article records an experiment with eighteen samples of frosted 

 grain, including two samples of barley, one of oats, and fifteen of wheat, 

 to determine the vitality of such seed. The experiment was made in 

 response to numerous requests for information as to the value of frosted 

 and stack-burned grain for seed. 



Diftereut methods for detenniniug tho percentage of germination were employed. 

 Fifty seeds of each sample were drilled iu black soil, in shallow boxes, which were then 

 placed in the propagating house, where they would have a gentle bottom heat. The 

 eoil used was taken from a field that had never been manured. 



A number of samples, as shown by the table, were placed iu carpet-paper cells; the 

 paper is thick and porous, and retains moisture well, thus inducing germination. 

 Still other samples were placed on small squares of carpet-paper in flower-pot saucers, 

 and these were saturated with water and set one on top of another, thus having an 

 air-space of an inch over each sample. " » * 



A comparison of the table, with the figures showing the percentage of germination, 

 will show that seeds do not germinate in the ratio of their plumpness. Of sample No. 

 4, containing 40 per cent of plump seeds, only .54 per cent germinated, while of sam- 

 ])le No. 3, containing but 7 per cent of plump seeds, 82 per cent germinated. In the 

 latter sample by far the greater proportion of the grains — 75 per cent — were badly 

 shriveled, while iu sample No. 4 but 32 per cent were badly shriveled. » * * 



It would not be safe to lay down any arbitrary rule for the use of frosted grain for 

 seed. Neither would it be fair to conclude, from these experiments, that all seeds in 

 which the germ is uuinjurud will produce good plants, however shriveled the grains 

 may be. On the contrary, the investigation suggests unusual care in the preparation 

 of the soil and in seeding. 



If careful testing shows that a fair percentage of injured grains will germinate, the 

 ])lauter should not conclude that mere germination insures a good crop. Granted 

 that the germ is uninjured (aud this is determined when the seeds grow) the plump 

 grain must betaken as the perfect seed, because it is completely filled with plant food, 

 aud tho seed is good in proportion to its plumpness. Much can be done to aid the 

 growth of shriveled grain ; careful preparation of the soil, and planting when the 

 weather is most favorable, are points largely within the control of every farmer. 

 May it not be, also, that with good weather aud well prepared soil, comparatively 

 shallow seeding will be advisable? 



bulletin no. 11, march, 1889. 



Field experiments with wheat, oats, and barley, Luther 

 Foster, M. Sc. (pp. 3-8). — Trials were made with sixteen varieties of 

 wheat, nineteen of oats, and thirteen of barley. The times of maturity 

 and amounts and quality of produce were observed. 



Experiments in sowing broadcast and with the roller-press drill were 

 also made. "Prom these some special points in favor of the latter 

 method may be briefly stated as follows : 



(I) Quick germination is insured by the seed being put at once into 

 moist soil and the covering firmed by the rollers. 



