Vitality of Seeds, 55 



wool or moss so arranged, and they will germinate 

 sooner than they would in ordinary planting. The 

 proportion ol bad seed — that is, of seed which has 

 lost its vitality — will be recognized in this way ; but as 

 regards the quality of the strain and whether they are 

 true to name, there caxi be no proof or guarantee 

 in advance of the crop they bring, except procuring 

 them from a dealer who is recognized as reliable, and 

 who knows, himself, what he is selling. 



ViTALtTV OF Seeds* 



As regards the period for which seeds may be kept 

 without destroying or seriously impairing their vitality, 

 this varies with different seeds. Opinion varies also 

 as to the time which may be assigned as the limit in the 

 case of each separate kind. It is ordinarily thought, and 

 perhaps it is safest to hold as a general rule, that the 

 seeds which mature in one season are the best for next 

 year's planting. However, seeds of good original 

 vitality may be expected to germinate freely, if properly 

 cared for, at i^eriods after maturity not greater than 

 shown in the table on the following page. 



We ha\e to remark here that the duration of the 

 germinating power of seed^ depends very materially 

 upon the circumstances under which they have been 

 harvested and kept. Nothing has a greater tendency 

 to destrov it than the influence of dampness and heat ; 

 owing to which causes it often occurs that good seed, 

 purchased from dealers in whom reliance can be placed, 

 and kept not a great while on hand, fails to come up. 

 Thus far no better method is known for keeping seeds 



