SEED COXTROL. 79 



"flat"), covering them very lightly with soil or tine sand, and 

 keeping the pots closed to retain the moisture. Seeds cannot be 

 examined so well from time to time, however, if this method is 

 adopted. 



In making tests the seeds should be looked over every day, 

 those which have sprouted being removed, and a record kept of 

 the same. At the close of the test, the hard seeds remaining 

 should be cut in two with a sharp knife, to ascertain whether a 

 live germ is within. In such cases due allowance should be made, 

 as a certain per cent of these seeds would probably have germi- 

 nated in a longer time. 



Ten days is sufficient for testing the germination of the 

 cereals, clovers, and most vegetable seeds, except beet and carrot, 

 which require at least fourteen days. The majority of grasses 

 need twenty-one days ; timothy and rye grass, however, require 

 but fourteen, while the Poas need twenty-eight days. Tree 

 seeds require from twenty-eight to forty-two days, or longer, 

 and special germination metliods. There is usually enough air 

 within the seed or immediately surrounding it, to suffice for the 

 mere act of germination, which is all we are concerned with at 

 present. 



Each kind of seed is said to have a certain germinative energy, 

 by which is meant the period required to sprout one-half or 

 more of the seeds of a fresh and good sample of that species. 

 This period varies from three to seven days in most commercial 

 varieties, and is a matter of considerable importance, especially 

 where a prompt decision is wished on the supposed germinative 

 value of a samide under consideration. For example, if a certain 

 lot of radish seed does not show fifty per cent of germination 

 within three days, it is probably old seed. Likewise, if seed 

 begins to get mouldy after a few days' germination trial, it may 

 be pretty safely set down as old stock, provided the test has been 

 properly c(/nducted. 



However, no system of private seed inspection or testing, 

 either by the dealer or grower, can secure the end desired ; 

 nam<'ly, accurate information as to the qiuility of all seed offered 

 for sale, as well as the exclusion of wares containing seeds of 

 weeds which wouhl prove a serious menace to agriculture. 



Thi' seedsman may test liis seed with the utmost care, as many 

 do. Itut so long as ue furnishes no guarantee to the buyer, such 



