COMPARISON OF METHODS OF STORING AND SHIPPING. 



TABLE XX. Percentage of genii i nation of onion subjected to various conditions o 



in different localities. 

 [Germination of control sample: First test, 95.8 per cent; second test, 97 per cent.] 



"This test has not been included in making up the averages inasmuch as the seeds were badly 

 molded when put in test. 



The onion seeds which were stored in the envelopes were very seri- 

 ously affected in many of the places. Those from the basement at Lake 

 City, from all of the conditions at Mobile, and from the dry room and 

 basement at Baton Rouge were entirely killed. The seed from trade 

 conditions at Baton Rouge germinated only 0.5 per cent. In man} 7 

 other cases the samples from the envelopes had become practically 

 worthless. In only two instances was there any loss in vitality where 

 the seeds were stored in bottles, viz, the second tests from the dry 

 rooms and basement at Baton Rouge. These two tests have lowered 

 the average results quite materially. If they were not included the 

 averages would be raised to 96.91 and 97.90 per cent, respectively, 

 instead of 92.36 and 90.86 per cent, as given in the table. The average 

 percentages of germination of the seeds from the envelopes were very 

 low in the second test, and were as follows: Trade conditions, 25.12 

 per cent; dry rooms, 61 per cent, and basements, 33.8 per cent. This 

 represents a loss in vitality of 74.11, 37.12, and 65.9 per cent, respec- 

 tively. 



Onion seed is relatively short lived, and very easiry affected by 

 unfavorable external conditions. For this reason onion seed should 

 be handled with the greatest care if vitality is to be preserved for a 

 maximum period. This may be done successfully by keeping the dry 

 seed in well-corked bottles, or in any good moisture-proof package. 



