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Farmers' Bulletin 1123. 



The principal considerations regarding seed storage are that the 

 seed must not be allowed to dry out excessively, because this impairs 

 its power to germinate; and that it must not be kept at the same 

 time moist and warm, because this induces premature germination, 

 or molding and deterioration. Seed should not be stored in a warm 

 place. Cold storage of some kind is essential. 



COLD DRY STORAGE. 



Some kinds of hardwood tree seed may be stored dry without de- 

 teriorating greatly, provided the temperature is constantly near the 

 freezing point or lower. Among such is the seed of the catalpa, 



FIG. 12. Red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera), 11 years old. Trees 14 to 18 inches in diameter, 60 

 to 65 feet in height. Brevard County, Fla. 



honey locust, osage orange, and boxelder. After the seed coat is 

 thoroughly dried by exposure to the air for a few days, the seed may 

 be placed in sacks and hung up out of the reach of rats, mice, squirrels 

 and chipmunks, in some outbuilding or in the attic where , the tem- 

 perature will remain low through the winter. 



COLD MOIST STORAGE. 



Cold moist storage is probably the most suitable for all kinds of 

 hardwood tree seed, provided the temperature can be kept at the 

 freezing point or lower. Even seed that can be stored dry will, if 

 stored under cold moist conditions, germinate more quickly when 

 sown. Cold moist storage is particularly well adapted for the seed 



