THE VITALITY OF SEEDS 



21 



poured off after each washing. The seeds are then put into a 

 hand cider press and much surplus water squeezed out, after 

 which they are spread out on sheets and allowed to dry in the 

 sun for about three days. When thoroughly dry they are screened 

 and gone over by hand for the removal of any remaining trash. 

 The seeds are then put in sacks and hung up where the air can 

 circulate through them. 



Seedsmen's Trial Grounds. — The most progressive seedsmen 

 maintain extensive trial grounds (Fig. 10) for the testing of new 





Fig. 10. — \ie\v in seedsman's trial ground; 



varieties, and also for determining the purity of different stocks 

 of the standard varieties. Such tests are of material assistance to 

 seedsmen in supplying their customers with reliable seeds, for only 

 the purest stocks are used for the production of a new seed crop. 



THE VITALITY OF SEEDS 



Germination Tests. — If conditions are unfavorable while the 

 seed crop is growing, or if the seeds are not properly cured, or if 

 they are not stored under proper conditions, or if they are kept 



