54 FARM AND GARDEN SEEDS 



seeds of any kind without injury. Care should be taken not to 

 breathe the fumes nor to have any fire present, as the fumes are 

 very inflammable. Have tight bins and use one ounce of carbon 

 bisulfide to each ten cubic feet of space. 



FIELD AND LABORATORY EXERCISES 



1. The six lines of work of seed laboratories, as mentioned in this chapter, 

 should be made the subject of laboratory practice. Samples of seed for this 

 purpose may be obtained from dealers. 



2. The state law regarding seed inspection should be studied and the 

 percentages mentioned for some of the amounts of weed seed allowable under 

 the law should be compared with samples that may be available. 



3. Different methods of testing seeds should be practiced in the labora- 

 tory or at home. Try the rag doll method for seed corn. Use the blotter 

 method, the seed box method and others. Which methods seem most suitable 

 for large seeds, and which for small seeds? Which methods seem to give 

 conditions most nearly like the field or garden? 



4. Samples of spoiled grain, spoiled corn or other seeds injured by im- 

 proper storage should be obtained. Let the conditions of storage in each case 

 be described and the better methods compared with these. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Explain the operation of state laws regarding seed analysis and give the 



work done by state seed laboratories. 



2. Of what use are the reports from seed laboratories? 



3. Give the advantages of seed testing at home. 



4. W T hy should the grower know the germinating power of seeds before 



planting? 



5. Describe the "rag doll" method of testing seed corn. 



6. Give some methods of testing smaller farm and garden seeds. 



7. How can the grower obtain good seed through testing methods? 



8. Give the advantages of home-grown seeds. 



9. Give the methods and principles involved in the cleaning of a lot of seeds. 

 10. What are the precautions to be taken in the storage of grains and seeds? 



References. U. S. Farmers' Bulletins. 111, The Farmer's Interest in 

 Good Seed. 194, Alfalfa Seed. 229, The Production of Good Seed Corn. 

 253, The Germination of Seed Corn. 260, Seed of Red Clover and Its Impuri- 

 ties. 286, The Advantages of Planting Heavy Cotton Seed. 306, Dodder in 

 Relation to Farm Seeds. 382, The Adulteration of Forage-plant Seed. 415, 

 Seed Corn. 428, Testing Farm Seeds. 434, The Home Production of Onion 

 Seeds and Sets. 495, Alfalfa Seed Production. 646, Crimson Clover: Seed 

 Production. Circ. 96, U.- S. Office of Exp. Sta., How to Test Seed Corn in 

 School 



