THE SEED 23 



seeds of some trees a still longer time. Beet balls 

 contain from three to seven seeds. With very small 

 seeds it may be necessary to provide for the circulation 

 of air by placing small pieces of wood between the 

 layers of cloth among the seeds. With most varieties 

 of garden plants the majority of seeds should germinate 

 within a few days after the first sprout appears. If the 

 period of germination extends over a longer time it 

 shows that the vitality of the seed is low. Seeds of the 

 carrot family and some melon seeds may not show as 

 high results in the germinating dishes as they do in the 

 ground." 



In good sound seeds the following numbers per 

 cent, should germinate (): 



(a) From Year-Book, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1896. 



. 90 to 95 



. 80 85 



7o 75 



7o 75 



93 98 

 . 90 95 

 . 85 90 

 . 90 95 

 . 90 95 



* Each beet fruit or " ball " is likely to contain from three to 

 seven seeds. One hundred balls should give at least 1 50 sprouts. 



