SEED AND SEEDLINGS 5 
of the Leguminose@, may be hastened into growth by 
filing or boring through the hard shell (taking care not 
to injure the embryo), submitting them after planting to 
moisture and a bottom heat of about 80 degrees, and 
thus treated they grow much more quickly. 
In acquiring a parcel of seed it is often desirable to 
test the quality in order to have.some idea of the per- 
centage that may be expected to grow. There are 
several methods of doing this, such as throwing them 
into a vessel of water, whereupon those sinking to the 
bottom are generally supposed to be good, while those 
floating are bad. It is only with comparatively few 
kinds that this test can be relied on, as many good seeds 
will float in water, that being one of the natural vehicles 
for their distribution. A better idea of the quality can 
often be gained by cutting a few through the middle and 
examining the sections, when an experienced eye can 
generally determine by the appearance if they are good 
or bad. Perhaps the best, and that mostly practised, is 
to count out from a fair sample a certain number—say 
a hundred—to sow them on the surface of a pot of soil, 
and to place them in a warm house, treating as other 
seedlings. If after a few days ninety show signs of 
sprouting, that is about the percentage that may be 
expected to grow under equally favourable conditions. 
If to be sown out of doors under less propitious circum- 
stances, the percentage would possibly be lowered. 
In garden practice there are two principal ways of 
sowing seeds—by scattering broadcast and sowing in 
drills. The latter is generally the more advantageous, 
as it permits of the free use of the hoe between the rows 
to loosen the soil and to destroy weeds. It also facili- 
tates lifting the young seedlings with a fork at the time 
