A UNIT IN AGRICULTURE 33 



Ex. 6. Testing Seed Corn for Germination. 



Make a box 4 inches deep, 14 inches long, and 12 inches wide. 

 Fill the box half full of moist earth, packing it down firmly so that 

 the surface is even and smooth. Rule a piece of white cloth, the size 

 of the box, into squares 2 inches each way. Number the squares 1, 2, 

 3, 4. . . .30. Place the cloth on the soil in the box and tack it to the 

 corners and edges of the box to keep it in place. Number thirty ears 

 of corn. Take ten grains from each ear from middle, tip, and butt. 

 IMnce these grains on the square corresponding to the number of the 

 ear. When all the samples are in place, cover with a piece of cheese 

 cloth the size of the box. Now cover with a heavier cloth larger than 

 the box and over this place about 2 inches of moist earth. Put in a 

 warm place and let it remain ten days. 



Carefully remove the cover. ^Now make a careful study of the 

 ten kernels in each square and carefully note those which either failed 

 to grow or are weak in vitality. In how many and in which squares 

 did all the kernels germinate? In how many and in which squares 

 did no kernels germinate ? If you had planted all the seed from these 

 thirty ears, what per cent of a stand of corn would you have? 



Ex. 7. Study of a Grain of Wheat. 



Soak a few grains of wheat in warm water. Using a lens and a 

 small sharp knife, try to remove the coverings of the grain. There 

 are four of these, three epidermic layers and one testa or true seed 

 coat. These coats constitute the bran and make up about 11 per cent 

 of the grain. 



Immediately under the testa, find the endosperm. This makes 

 up the large part of the seed and is the flour of commerce. Notice 

 the position, form and size of the embryo. 



Ask your teacher to cut a thin slice across the grain, place in a 

 drop of water on a glass slide, cover with a cqver glass and place 

 under the low power of the compound microscope. 



Observe carefully and draw, naming the parts. 



