352 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



Other varieties. Beet seed requires careful winnowing, 

 nearly one-fourth, as they are usually sold, being unfit for 

 planting. Peas are more uniform in size and quality, and 

 require but little selection. Melons, squashes, and cucum- 

 bers should be culled, or better yet, be put into water ; only 

 those which sink promptly should be used, the swimming 

 and floating ones being light and trashy. Beans are apt to 

 be imperfect. We have usually found occasion to reject full 

 one-third of every quart, for seedsmen are apt to put in 

 every seed that grows, whether they will ever grow again 

 or not. There is no dishonesty certainly in this ; but if one 

 would habitually screen or select, and put up only the very 

 choicest, he would ultimately get a higher price, and secure 

 for his seed a universal demand. 



2. Soaking Seeds. — Some seeds will not germinate for a 

 long period, unless they are artificially brought forward. 

 Locust seeds are scalded before planting. Peas are scalded 

 to kill the bug, when thus inhabited. The cypress vine seed 

 require soaking to induce a quick germination. Celery 

 seed is very sluggish unless soaked. 



Seeds are often steeped in prepared liquids to force their 

 growth. Old seeds, whose powers of germination are much 

 diminished, are made to vegetate by being put into a weak 

 solution of oxalic acid. Wheat is pickled in salt brine, then 

 rolled in lime, as a preventive of smut. 



Corn is protected from worms by copperas water ; and 

 peas are put into train oil to guard them from moles and 

 mice. Tanner's oil, and a solution of saltpetre are often 

 used ; the first for turnip-seed, to protect them from a 

 destructive insect ; and the latter for all seeds, as a stimu- 

 lant to their growth and to guard against worms and bugs. 



Some excitement was made in Scotland, not long ago, by 

 the great effects alleged to have been produced by so pre- 

 paring seeds that they would contain in or on themselves all 

 those fertilizing qualities usually looked for in the soil. It 

 is possible, by employing chemical mixtures, or coatings, to 



