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PRACTICAL PLANT PROPAGATION 



TESTING SEEDS 



A federal law now in force prohibits the importation of adul- 

 terated seeds of most of our grasses, besides Alfalfa, Clover and 

 many cereals. Weed seeds as well as seeds of lower commercial 

 value are considered adulterations. The United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture and State institutions are doing much to enforce 

 the dissemination of good seeds and will test any doubtful samples 

 sent to them. Each grower may test for impurity and adulterations 

 by using a small hand-lens. 



Much labor and space is frequently wasted by misjudging the 

 value of seeds. The best test takes into consideration not only the 

 percentage of germination but also the growth during a whole 

 season as well as the amount of impurity. 



For the germination test, a soup plate may be conveniently 

 used. (See fig. 3) . Circles of canton flannel or blotting paper are cut 

 to fit the plate. By dividing the cloth into four divisions, four 

 varieties of seed may be tested at one time. Either ten or twenty- 

 five of the seeds to be tested are counted and placed upon the cloth 

 which is moistened. The dish is then covered with another plate 

 to prevent drying. Day by day the number of seeds in each 

 division that germinate should be counted. If only 50 per cent 

 germinate the seeds must be sown twice as thickly in planting. 



Fig. 3. Seed testing. A, A soup plate. B, The piece of canton flannel. C, Canton 

 flannel in plate with seeds in each division. D, The plate covered by another one 



