German Seed-Extracting Bsiablisluncnt. 41 



absorb water quickly and readily, the seed coats are distended and 

 the seeds develop. 



In a similar way many Scotch pine seed are delayed and, there- 

 fore, useless in dry planting seasons, or else do not develop at all, 

 because their outer seed coat hardens too much in order to protect 

 them against summer dryness, no longer lets in sufficient water 

 and the embryo does not break through. 



Concerning (2) : In every case when in summer or autumn 

 sufficient humidity accompanies the warmth always prevailing at 

 these seasons, the seed tries to develop (also when on rainy days 

 the air in the ordinary granaries is sufficiently moist) ; every such 

 attempt soon ceases again, when dry weather ensues ; but each 

 time the vitality is weakened so that all seeds by weakening them- 

 selves are ruined. (Even potatoes stored in cold dark cellars can 

 be prevented from germinating for a long time, whereas they 

 germinate quickly when in the spring before planting they are 

 spread out upon barn-floors for 8 to 14 clear, moist, warm days). 



These observations perhaps explain why the above mentioned 

 recent experiments lead to the conclusion that the germination 

 energy can, by the exclusion of light, moisture, and heat, be 

 preserved for several years. 



Thereby is the opportunity afiforded to preserve the surplus of 

 abundant seed-years in a useful condition for poor seed-years, 

 which seldom continue longer than one or two years. 



For this a seed-house cellar is needed, high enough so that a 

 man can enter it upright; large enough so that as many carboys 

 can be placed in it upon shelves (in two tiers on both sides of a 

 central passage 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2 m) wide as are needed to 

 preserve the seed. 



The Eberswalde seed establishment has connected with it a 

 primitive experiment cellar built into the ground. It is dark ; it 

 is located upon and in a dry sand-hill; it is about 3.3 feet (i m) 

 high covered over with earth and straw ; the thermograph in it 

 shows that it maintains a constant even temperature of about 46° 

 F. (8° C.) ; double doors with straw filling and a closed entrance 

 vestibule protect it against the entrance of heat and cold. 



In it stand hundreds of glass carboys such as can be bought 

 comparatively cheaply from druggists who obtain sulphuric acid, 

 etc., in them. Storage in this earth cellar at the Eberswalde seed- 

 establishment showed an unimpaired germination vitality up to 



