SEED AND SEED SOWING. 65 



knows that a growth of oak or other deciduous trees will 

 follow pine, and vice versa. It seems as if nature would 

 thus demonstrate the principle of rotation of crops. 

 Theory seems to be unable to explain how seeds can re- 

 main dormant in the soil for years, under conditions 

 apparently favorable to germination. 



THE QUALITY OF SEEDS. TESTING. 



Its plumpness, its specific gravity or density, rather 

 than its size, is an indication of the quality of a seed; 

 and it will generally sink in water. No one matter is of 

 more importance to the horticulturist, than the quality 

 of the seed he sows, not only in reference to the certainty 

 of vegetating, but also to its being true to variety. Our 

 well-known seed merchants, as a general rule, doubtless 

 seek to send out sound and reliable seed; but they are 

 compelled in some instances to depend for a supply of 

 special kinds upon seed-growers personally unknown to 

 them, and may themselves be deceived. In an expe- 

 rience of twenty-six years I have found, however, a con- 

 siderable difference *in the comparative trustworthiness 

 of some of the leading and most extensive seed dealers. 

 A few of the smaller firms, and of less extended repu- 

 tation, frequently gain the custom of Southern druggists, 

 and often of retail dealers, by granting the privilege of 

 returning the stock which remains unsold in their hands 

 after the spring sales. In some instances such seeds may 

 be good and true; but having suffered losses from their 

 use, I warn Southern growers against their purchase. 



The surest way to avoid disaster is to make a prelimi- 

 nary test of any suspicious seed. It is not necessary to 

 commit the seed to the ground. Dr. Nobbe, of the 

 Tharand, Saxony, Seed Control Station, has devised a 

 simple apparatus of earthenware for the purpose. To 

 test seeds, I place a sample, folded in a piece of moist 

 cloth, or blotting paper, at the bottom of a small com- 



