62 TRUCK-FARMING AT THE SOUTH. 



face for days in the hot sun without dying. The same 

 is true, but to a greater degree, of 



THE PBICKLY PEAR (Opuntio, vulgaris,) 



which is occasionally an annoyance on high grounds near 

 the coast, and on the Sea Islands. It must be dug up 

 and removed from the land. It will require a hot wood 

 fire to kill it. 



CHAPTER VI. 



SEED AND SEED SOWING. 



Every seed is provided with an embryo, the vitality of 

 which remains dormant so long as the carbon which the 

 seed contains is not eliminated, by forming carbonic acid 

 with oxygen during the process of germination. The 

 composition of a seed is less liable to vary than that of 

 any other part of a plant. 



One of the most wonderful works of nature is the pro- 

 vision made for the perpetuation of the species, whether 

 of animals or vegetables. Every seed germ, or embryo, 

 is really a plant in miniature, having its stem and leaves 

 in a more or less undeveloped state. 



If kept dry and excluded from air and its oxygen, the 

 duration of its vitality diifers with various seeds. If the 

 seed of any given plant, which ordinarily retains its 

 vitality for an extended period, is, when fully matured, 

 thoroughly dried, and perfectly protected from contact 

 with air and moisture, there is no reason why it may not 

 retain its vitality for many years. Prof. Lindley says: 

 ' ' Not to speak of the doubtful instances of seeds taken 



