LABORATORY MANUAL OF 

 AGRICULTURE 



EXERCISE 1 

 DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS 



Object. To study natural methods of seed distribution. 



Explanation. It is an advantage for plants to have 

 their seeds distributed as widely as possible. There is severe 

 competition among plants for existence. Only a few of 

 the many seeds produced from year to year find favorable 

 conditions for growth. 



There are four important common methods by which the 

 seeds of plants are distributed : distribution by wind ; 

 distribution by birds; forceful expulsion from the pod; 

 distribution by animals other than birds. There are two 

 general kinds of seed transported by the wind. Some have 

 wings, as the ash and maple. Others have feathery pro- 

 jections and float long distances in the air. The dandelion 

 and thistle are examples of these. 



Seeds of berries and small fruits are often carried long 

 distances by birds. The pulp of the fruit is digested, but 

 the seed is uninjured and may be dropped along fence rows 

 or other places where it may grow. The fleshy part of the 

 fruit is the attraction that favors distribution. 



B 1 



