THE AWAKENING OF THE SEED 43 



Place the bulbs of both thermometers equally 

 deep (from half an inch to an inch and a half) under 

 the surface of the soil (thus imitating the condition of 

 a buried seed), and take readings as before (the 

 soil should be placed in the sunlight). 



Place both thermometers at the same distance from 

 a sheet of hot metal (or a stove or steam radiator), 

 and take readings. 



Heat both until they stand at the same tempera- 

 ture (100 to 150 F.), and then place them in a cool 

 place, to see which loses heat more rapidly. 



Test several kinds of seeds in this way. 



Does wetting the seed -cover make any difference? 



What kinds of soil absorb warmth (from the sun) 

 most rapidly? What kinds retain it longest? Does 

 the amount of moisture in the soil affect this ? Devise 

 an experiment to answer this question. 



We have learned something about the awakening 

 of the seed, but there are still many questions of 

 interest. How soon can the seed awaken? Try im- 

 mature seeds to see if they will germinate, especially 

 seeds of Tomato, Wheat and Barley. (Rain at 

 harvest -time often causes grain to sprout in the ear. 

 Seeds from half- grown green Tomatoes are used by 

 some gardeners for special purposes. Plants from 

 such seeds give earlier and larger crops of fruit.) 

 Some seeds seem to require a period of rest before 

 awakening. How long is this period in the Lima 



