SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. 



53 



with glass, to prevent rapid evaporation. One hundred seed 

 should be counted out just as they come, and be sown. By count- 

 ing- the seedling's, the per cent of germination of the seed is 

 easily obtained. 



A Simple Germinating Apparatus. — A simple method of testing- 

 seeds is as follows: — Take two plates, and in one ■ of them 

 place a folded cloth, woolen flannel is preferable since it 

 must remain moist for a long time, but any cloth will do. 

 The cloth should be free from dye stuffs since they may con- 

 tain injurious chemicals. Wet the cloth, pressingout the sur- 

 plus water leaving it very damp, but not soaked. Place the 



Figure 21.— Simple device for seed testing (open), 

 counted seeds between its folds and mark plainly with a 

 pencil on a piece of paper the number of seeds put in and the 

 date. Then cover with the second plate, as shown in figure 

 22. Plenty of air will get in between the plates, and the 

 upper one will prevent evaporation. The temperature should 

 average as recommended. Common newspaper or wrapping 

 paper may take the place of the cloth, but requires much more 

 attention. 



Figure 22.— Simple device for seed testing (closed). 

 Sometimes seeds that barely germinate under the ex- 



