SEED TE8TINO 155 



they grow, and the quality is said to deteriorate. Seed 

 from crops grown in a cold climate when planted in a 

 warm climate often produce an improved quality of 

 seed. On tlie other hand, seed taken from a warm 

 climate to a cold often produce an inferior quality 

 of seed. Good seed deteriorate when planted in un- 

 suitable soils, or in soils not well supplied with the 

 proper plant foods. All farms crops originally grew 

 wild. Man found thmi useful and cultivated them. 

 By great care in selecting and planting only the best 

 seed and by thorough cultivation, the quality has been 

 steadily improved and is still being improved. But it 

 is only by constant attention that they are kepi up to 

 their improved condition. If neglected they soon be- 

 come as poor as they were originally. 



1 MT.llIMENT 



Purchase an ounce of onus or clover seed from some dealer. With 

 the class, pick over the seed carefully, separating the good, sound seed 

 from lh tntsh nwl foreign seed. Weigh the sample and determine 

 the per cent of sound *cr<l. SprrnU 100 of the sound seed and note 

 the number germinating. 



Questions 



1. What is the primary object of agriculture? 2. Why is 

 It advisable to know something of the habits of the plants 

 grown for use on the farm? 3. What is general farming? 

 4. What is special farming? 5. After preparing the soil 

 and determining on the kind of crop, what Is the next step? 

 6. In selecting seed, what are some of the points to be con- 

 sidered? 7. How may seed be tested for purity? 8. How 

 may the germinating power of seed be tested? 9. What 



