THE AWAKENING OF THE SEED 



is it obtained ! Do seeds in their ordinary dry condi- 

 tion contain water? We may answer this question by 

 placing some seeds in one end of a glass tube (a test- 

 tube is most convenient, but any glass tube a few 

 inches long will answer; a tin cup covered with a 

 piece of glass answers every purpose) and heat- 

 ing the end where the seeds are placed (Fij 

 13) . If moisture is present it will be driven 

 off and condense in drops toward the 

 cooler end, which should be left open.^ 

 Explain the popping of Pop -corn. 



The amount of moisture in the 

 seed greatly affects its preserva- 

 tion (see page 45). 



How does the seed absorb 

 water ? Place in water a lot 

 of seeds of the same kind, 

 as nearly alike as possible in 

 size, shape and color, keep- 

 ing other similar seeds dry 

 for comparison. An interest- 

 ing series for study is the Pea, Lima Bean, Castor- 

 bean, Filbert (or some other nut). Radish, Flax or 

 Quince. Observe constantly for half an hour, and after 



1 If no moisture can be detected by this method, weigh out three or four 

 ounces of seeds, heat them for some time in an oven or wherever they will 

 not be scorched, and reweigh. Any loss of weight is due to moisture driven 

 off by the heat. By heating on a water-bath (Fig. 54) untilthey cease losing 

 weight, the exact percentage of moisture may be ascertained by dividing the 

 loss in weight by the original weight. 



