GOG 



KEPOKT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Belo-\y is a table sliowinj:^ the earlier experiments of Cobbett, in Eng- 

 land, and the later ones of Vilmoriu, in France. 



Seed. 



Cobbett. 



Arlicholies 

 A sp.aragus 



JUun 



J'.ecfc 



}".iocoli 



(JHbbage... 



CillTOt 



CaiiliQowcr 



(/i.'lery 



Corn 



("ncumber . 

 E^"j:-)>l:iut . 



Eintive 



Kulo 



Years. 

 3 

 4 



Vilmorin. 



Tears. 



Seed. 



Look 



Lettuce .. 



Mtlon 



Oiiioa 



Okra 



Pea 



Pniiipkin . 

 Eadisli ... 

 SiTlsify.... 

 Spiuacb .. 

 Squi\,sh . .. 

 T.jmato .. 

 Tuiuip ... 



It will be seen that, with the exception of the beet and the cncnrbita- 

 cefe, the French table ascribes a lon^ijer vitality to nearly all the va- 

 rieties. Sonthern vegetable growers will bear in mind that our warmer 

 climate, and particularly the moist air on the coast, might affect lon- 

 gevity of these seeds differently. Beans, peas, and onion seed cannot be 

 relied on after the tirst year. Cabbage and turnip, if carefully preserved, 

 may be used the second, a,nd those of the cucurbitaceai up to the fourth. 

 Experience teaches us that fresh seeds of cucumber and the other j)lants 

 of that family are apt to run more to vine, while those a year or two old 

 will be productive. As a rule, however, it is saiest to procure fresh seed. 



Old seeds, being endowed with weaker vitality, are used by florists to 

 produce doublctlowering plants. For this reason fresh tomato seed 

 should only be used, because the double Howers form ill-shapen, knobby 

 fruit, while the single liov,ers bear the desirable round fruit. 



The degree of heat necessary- to start vital action varies in different 

 species, which is important in germinating seed under glass. Seeds of 

 plants indigenous to warm climates will require a higher degree than 

 those of a colder one. The most favorable temperature of the soil for 

 the germination of seeds of plants Ixom cold climates is from 50^ to 

 550, those of green-house j)^^ii^s from 00° to 05°, and those from the 

 torrid zone from 70^ to 80^. Of all the seed sown by the truck farmer 

 those of the onion will germinate at the lowest temperature, only a 

 few degrees above freezing being sufficient, and thej' may therefore be 

 sown in winter in the open ground. Those of the melon and egg-plant 

 require the highest degree of heat. 



Xo safe rule as to depth of sowing seed can be established, as both 

 the soil and the weather must be considered. Daring the period of 

 gerraiuation the latter may change from one extreme to the other. If 

 moderately moist weather could be assured, the rule might be depended 

 upon to cover them to the dejith of their own thickness. Ordinarily 

 this would be much too shallow. In a light, sandy soil they should be 

 placed deeper than in a tenacious or loamy one. if seed absorb more 

 moisture than they can decompose they rot ; therefore wet ground makes 

 an improper seed bed. On sandy soil, after a rain following a severe 

 drought merely moistening the surface, thej should not be sown, for if 

 no further rain ensues they may perish after having germinated, the 

 young root not finding enough moisture. for its support. 



With the exception of those of radishes for a crop, no seed of the 

 truck farmer should be sown broadcast. Drill-sowing, either by hand 

 or machine, is much, to be preferred, as the seed may be deposited mora 



