Germination. 31 



39. Seeds should be Tested before Planting to learn if 

 they will germinate. It is unnecessary to plant seeds in 

 soil to test them, since the seed-tester shown in Fig. 6 is 

 much more convenient. This useful device consists of 

 two circular pieces of clean, moderately thick cloth of 

 rather loose texture, a table plate that is not warped, and 

 a pane of glass large enough to cover the plate. The 

 cloths are dipped in water, and squeezed a few times 

 while under the water to press out the air. They are 



FIG. 6. Showing a simple seed-tester, adapted to farmers' and garde- 

 ners' use. 



then wrung out until moderately wet, and spread over 

 the bottom of the plate as shown, and the seeds to be 

 tested are placed between them. It is well to use a hun- 

 dred or more seeds of each sample, as a larger number 

 will show the per cent of vitality more accurately than 

 a smaller one, and the lot should always be well mixed 

 before taking the sample. The plate should be kept cov- 

 ered with the glass to prevent evaporation from the 

 cloths, and it may be placed in any room of comfortable 

 living temperature. The seeds should be frequently ex- 

 amined, and may be removed as they sprout, when by 



