GERMINATION 35 



For instance, the Long Island cauliflower growers never pay less 

 than 75 cents an ounce for seed, all of which is purchased in large 

 lots on contract by their co-operative association. The lowest retail 

 price quoted by a well-known seed house is 60 cents an ounce for an 

 old standard variety ; the highest, $7.00, but this is for a new variety. 



Among farm crops that suffer because of low vitality 

 seeds are clover, blue grass, corn and wheat; among 

 garden crops, cabbage, cauliflower, onion, turnip, parsnip, 

 lima bean, celery. Hence their high price. 



60. Seed in the tropics. Many kinds of seed deteriorate rapidly 

 in tropical climates; instances of 90 per cent germination immedi- 

 ately on gathering with only 50 per cent a month later and zero at 

 three months. Lettuce is said to lose vitality in a few weeks. 



61. The principal influences that affect vitality of 

 seed are kind of seed, climate, maturity, age and method 

 of storage. 



62. Age of trees seems to influence seed vitality; fir trees about 

 150 years produced highest vitality seed by French experimental 

 tests. 



Powdered charcoal is recommended as packing for such seeds as 

 lose their vitality when shipped long distances. 



63. Acorn and nut vitality. Many nuts and acorns quickly lose 

 their vitality when dried; therefore, they should be either planted 

 soon after maturing or stratified in moist but not wet sand, soil or 

 moss and kept in a cool place. Dr. T. H. Hoskins reports perfect 

 germination of butternuts stored in a loft four or five years ! 



The longevity of seeds is well illustrated by the following in- 

 stance. At Columbia, Mo., white clover seed which had been buried 

 about six feet deep under a race track for 35 years, was found, upon 

 being uncovered, to germinate freely. 



