PRESERVING SEEDS. 25 
CHAPTER III 
PRESERVING SEEDS. 
As before remarked, some kinds of seeds retain their 
vitality for a long time, and others only for a short period. 
Those seeds that have a firm, horn-like covering, like the 
Locust, Virgilia, etc., generally retain their vitality the 
longest, while the seeds of the Maple, Elm, and similar trees 
that have a very porous covering, are comparatively short- 
lived. The size of the seed is no indication of its vital- 
ity; the largest may perish much sooner than the very 
smallest. 
The Black Walnut, Horse Chestnut, and Butternut will 
seldom if ever grow after the first season, while the Virgilia 
and Locust, which are quite small, will germinate after 
having been kept for a dozen years. The vitality of all seeds 
may be retained for a much longer time than was evident- 
ly intended by Nature, if they are placed under the proper 
conditions. A cool, dry, and equal temperature appears 
to be the best adapted for the preservation of all seeds. 
The humidity of the atmosphere has also much to do in 
enabling them to retain their vitality, for while a warm, 
moist one is just suited to growth, it hastens the death of 
the seeds. For when the germinating powers of the seed 
have once been excited into growth, it can not be checked 
without injuring, if not wholly destroying, its vitality. A 
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