OF HOOT CULTIVATION. 29 



CHAPTER VI. 



ON THE ADULTERATION OF SEEDS, MORE PARTICU- 

 LARLY OF TURNIPS. 



In order to make the experiments which illustrate 

 this chapter tell their tale to the fullest extent, we 

 would set out with the two following postulates : — 



1st. All well-grown, well-preserved new seeds 

 should be capable of germinating to the extent 

 of at least 90 per cent. 



2nd. Seeds in general, and more especially turnip 

 seeds, as usually delivered to the farmer, are 

 generally incapable of germinating to the extent 

 of from 25 to 30 per cent., and very frequently 

 even more. 



We shall hereafter see, that this want of germi- 

 nating power is too often the result of mixing charlock, 

 Indian rape, and the like, by way of adulteration, 

 which latter are killed to prevent " their telling tales." 

 But to our experiments : — 



A number of tin cases were made of the following 

 proportions: Length, 15 inches; width, 10 inches; 

 depth, 4 inches. These, which were well perforated 

 at the bottom, were divided across into ten equal 

 parts, each of which was filled to within an inch of 

 the rim, with a mixture of fine mould and silver sand. 

 In these, seeds of different sorts of turnips were 

 sown, and th& whole was put into a bed of sand in 



