55 



indefinitely. Peas are said to have sprouted which 

 were taken from an Egyptian mummy three thousand 

 years old. 



It is better to select new seeds for planting. Older 

 seeds may grow, but will generally produce weaker 

 plants. 



Unripe Seeds. Seeds used for planting should always 

 be thoroughly ripe. The loss from planting unripe corn, 

 or " pinched " wheat, may be many times as great as the 

 extra cost of better seeds. 



While the difference in yield resulting from poor seeds 

 may not always be apparent the first season, if the prac- 

 tice is continued through a number of years the crop 

 will " run out " and become unprofitable. 



On the other hand, by selecting the best specimens of 

 seeds, year after year, the crop will be greatly improved. 

 The yield of different crops has, in some instances, been 

 doubled by a continuous selection of the best seeds. 



Conditions of Growth. There are three conditions re- 

 quired for the growth of seeds, all of which must be sup- 

 plied in order to produce germination. 



1. Moisture. When a dry seed is placed in soil, or 

 some other moist substance, it immediately begins to 

 absorb moisture; it swells, and if the temperature is 

 favorable and sufficient air is supplied, it puts forth its 

 root, and begins to grow. 



The amount of moisture favorable for growth varies 

 with different seeds. Some varieties will grow in water, 

 some thrive best in very moist soil, while others require 

 comparatively dry soil. 



It is believed that some varieties of seeds are covered 

 with a coating through which water cannot penetrate, 

 and that these may remain in the soil for an indefinite 



