SEEDS 25 



Fig. 2. Melon germination. Note the knob on the root which catches the 

 seed coat, holding it under the surface of the soil 



LONGEVITY OF SEEDS 



Regarding the longevity of seeds, H. A. Dreer, Inc., writes: 



"It has to be understood that in a favorable season and with 

 perfect harvesting conditions, seeds of all sorts are liable to be of 

 much stronger germination ability than in an unfavorable season, 

 particularly if the conditions at the time of harvesting are not 

 just right. The longevity of many seeds is materially increased 

 because they are now grown in this country, particularly in Cali- 

 fornia, where the conditions for their best development are nearly 

 ideal. 



"The life of seeds is no doubt considerably influenced by the con- 

 ditions under which they are kept over from one year to another. We 

 believe that the proper conditions are a cool, airy place where the 

 bags or receptacles in which the seeds are kept may be spread out, 

 so that the air can circulate around them. This was tested out 

 some years ago by the United States Department of Agriculture, 

 and the result of their investigations seemed to show that seeds kept 

 best under the same conditions that are preferred by most human 

 beings. In other words a temperature of somewhere between 

 sixty and seventy-five degrees is about right." 



Commenting on longevity of seeds, Geo. W. Oliver writes: 

 "Instances are common where seeds of various plants have ger- 

 minated many years after they were gathered. Seeds of several 

 leguminous genera have been known to remain in good condition 

 for a number of years. 



"Amonar these are several which are well authenticated, notably 

 Desmodium gyrans, which has been known to remain in good condi- 

 tion for twenty-five years, and Gymnodadus canadensis, which has 

 germinated after a long time in storage. Some of the tropical tree 

 legumes have seeds which lose their vitality only after many 



