SEASON FCR SOWING. 181 



before the embryo becomes a perfect plant. To allow the second 

 stage to be entirely completed would result in most cases in 

 risking the safety of the seeds from the inevitable handling they must 

 be subjected to in the act of sowing. In no case ought the young 

 rootlet to be allowed to attain more than a small fraction of an inch 

 in length before the seed is sown. 



There are various methods of securing this partial completion of 

 the germinative process, or, as it is termed, of forcing germination. 



First of all, the seeds may be soaked in ordinary water, either 

 by submerging them or by putting them into baskets wherein 

 they are kept constantly moist. The latter method is the better 

 of the two, as it allows air to pass in freely between the seeds, and 

 with the air a certain amount of heat ; but some seeds, like teak, 

 which have a hard hor:^y shell that absorbs moisture with difficulty, 

 are best kept submerged, heat being given by artificial means or 

 by placing in the sun, air by frequent stirring. The length of the 

 soaking will, of course, depend on the nature of the seed. Some 

 seeds, especially such as are very hard and dry, may be first soaked 

 tor a few seconds or minutes in water raised to a temperature of 

 about 200 Fah. Sometimes the seeds are put up in heaps and 

 moistened, and in this condition are allowed to undergo a certain 

 degree of fermentation, which of course helps germination. The 

 absorption of water by the embryo and the necessary chemical 

 changes may be promoted by subjecting the seeds to the action of 

 certain reagents in solution in the water, such as chlorine, bromine, 

 iodine, monobromide of camphor, lime, and weak acids, which 

 latter also render the shells porous. Limewater even revives in 

 some cases the germinative power of the embryo. Lastly, the 

 seeds may be soaked in liquid manure ; this contains in addition 

 to chlorine and certain organic acids, also slimy matters which 

 help to keep the seeds moist and enable them the better to absorb 

 moisture from the soil. 



In the case of seeds, which, like teak, have a hard impervious 

 shell, and which on that account germinate with difficulty, 

 thorough soaking followed by drying, this alternation being repeat- 

 ed once or oftener if necessary, is not unfrequently the most effec- 

 tive method of inducing quick germination. 



2. Season for sowing the seeds. 



The season for sowing the seeds will depend on the species in 

 question and on the age and time at which the seedlings are to be 

 removed from the seed-bed. 



