GERMINATION OF MAIZE 



199 



Homemade germinating apparatus : consists 

 of a shallow tin basin, which is given two 

 coats of mineral paint to prevent rusting. 

 The bottom of the basin is covered with 

 water and a small flat-bottomed saucer of 

 porous clay is placed inside. Seeds are 

 placed between two layers of moist blot- 

 ting paper or flannel cloth. A, complete; 

 B, section. (After Hicks.) 



ing, but in practice it is not generally desirable to treat the seed 

 in any \vay. 



272. Method of Testing Seed. — If the plumule and radicle of 



the embr}'o are carefully exposed by means of a sharp knife, 



these parts will be white and 



plump. Any discoloration or 



wilting is evidence of injured 



vitality. To determine vitality 



definitely, seed should always 



be tested before using. This 



may be done by any method 



which furnishes proper condi- 

 tions of heat, moisture and air. 



A satisfactory method is to fill 



any receptacle similar in size 



and shape to a dinner plate 



with sand. Pour on water until 



it covers the surface of the sand. Gently drain off water. 



Place grains in the moist sand, thoroughly covering them, and 



cover receptacle by inverting a simi- 

 lar one over it to prevent too rapid 

 evaporation and place in a tempera- 

 ture of 80° F. If ninet\'-five per 

 cent of the seed fails to germinate 

 in five days, the seed is unsatisfac- 

 tory. If shelled grain is to be tested, 



Cigar box used for testing germina. take lOO graiuS after thorOUgh mix- 

 tion of maize. Grains may be placed jj^g^ jf cars are to be testcd, take 



between moistensd newspapers or . 



cloths, preferably flannel. (After three grains from each of twenty-five 

 noiden.) ^q £f^ ears, taking a grain from 



butt, middle and tip. In some cases it may be desirable to test 

 each ear separately by taking ten grains from each ear. In 

 no case should an ear be used in which nine out of the ten 

 grains failed to germinate under conditions named. 



