476 Journal of Agricidtiirt'. Victoria. [10 July, 1911. 



from which the seed is taken. For instance, in gathering melon seed, it 

 is better to select seed from plants that are carrying a good number of 

 well-developed fruits, than from one that has only one or two large-sized 

 fruits. Again, it is not advisable always to .select seed from the most 

 vigorous plants or flower heads. This is particularly so with such plants 

 as some of the Brassicas. The seeds from .shoots that spring from axil- 

 lary buds or side branches from the main flower stem are often better than 

 those from the centre head. With abnormallv vigorous plants, the seed 

 has a tendency to lack uniformity, prol)ably owing to the preponderance 

 of certain food contents in the seed and. the somewhat defective transmission 

 of typical propensities resulting directly from excessive growth in the 

 plant and its inherent tendency to change, and indirectly from environal 

 influences. Inversely, for similar reasons, di.sease-ridden plants do not 

 produce good seed ; in this case, however, it is due to lack of growth. 



Under-ripe seeds lose their vitality early. Good germination may be 

 obtained from some under-ripe seeds, such as peas, tomatoes, etc., ani 

 the produce from such often exhibit variations in season of maturing, or 

 quality of fruit, that are of economic advantage, but the seeds quickly 

 deteriorate. For general purposes, only fully ripe seeds that have been 

 properly "cured," or dried, after being gathered, should be kept. 



Seeds are best stored in a dry. well-aired place of uniform temperaiure, 

 where they will be free from the attack of insects. Strong paper or cloth 

 bags and tight fitting boxes are suitable for storing small lots ; while bins 

 of suitable dimensions should be used for large lots. 



Longevity. 



It is not intended to submit here a table approximating the life or 

 vitality of seeds under normal conditions. The object of the writer is more 

 to indicate those factors that have an important bearing on the longevity of 

 seeds generally and that come within the sphere of the average horticul- 

 turist or seed-raiser. Where further information is desired. The Vegetable 

 Garden, by Vilmorin, should be consulted, the tabulated lists of which 

 are reprinted in most works dealing with seeds ; or the table prepared by 

 Sturtevant from experiments at the New York Experiment Station ; or the 

 results of te.-5ts carried out under the auspices of the British Association for 

 the Advancement of Science. Notwithstanding the diligence that has been 

 observed in preparing these records in the life of seeds, and the value of 

 such work in reference to storing, sowing, etc., it will be found that, owing 

 to various agencies, such as varietal predisposition, mutability of type, 

 soil, climate, disea.se, etc., great variations occur which make it im- 

 possible to deduce a law that will indicate the economic life in the 

 generality of commercial seeds. Bad seasons, mechanical injuries in 

 threshing, unripeness, disease, careless " curing " and storing, all tend to 

 impair the life of seeds. 



Many plants that are closely related according to our botanical classi- 

 fication differ w^idely in the relative longevity of their seeds. Even with 

 varieties of the same species a wide variation will be found, not only in 

 tiieir normal life or vitalitv, but in their sensitiveness to injurious agencies. 

 As a general rule, fresh seed should always be obtained if possible, owing 

 to the fact that there are so manv cau.ses bevond the knowledge of the 

 purchaser which may bring about a rapid deterioration in the samples. Even 

 with the best seed there is from year to year a gradual falling off in 

 vitality ; this depreciation is accelerated in a greater or lesser degree by the 

 presence of the agencies before mentioned. 



