VITALITY OF SEEDS 



It is quite important, unless you can rely abso- 

 lutely upon the dealer from whom you purchase, 

 to employ some means of testing the quality of 

 seeds. Some have recommended as the speediest 

 way, though not altogether a sure one, putting 

 a few on top of a hot stove; such as are good 

 will crack like corn in parching; the bad will 

 burn without noise and with very little motion. 

 A more reliable way is to place a little cotton-wool 

 or moss in a tumbler containing water, and let it 

 stand in a warm room while the experiment is in 

 progress. Place the seeds to be tested on the wool or 

 moss so arranged, and they will germinate sooner 

 than they would in ordinary planting. The propor- 

 tion of 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 can 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 what he is selling. 



VITALITY OF SEEDS 



As regards the period for which seeds may be 

 kept without destroying or seriously impairing 



[71] 



