SEED TESTING 83 



73. GERMINATION SPEED 



Object. To study germination speed 



If in Experiment 72 the number which germinate each 

 day is recorded, and these results tabulated, it will be 

 possible to determine the relative speed of germination. 

 In choosing seeds for planting those which are quickest to 

 germinate are most to be desired, since the earlier the crop, 

 the better will be the market price. 



.Method. Procure packages of garden seeds, such as 

 radish, turnip, lettuce, cucumber, melon, peas, beans, and 

 cereals. Get them from different seedsmen and farmers. 

 Test them to determine their speed, capacity, and percent- 

 age of germination. 



Query. Why is it preferable to buy seed corn on the 

 ear ? Why are high-priced seeds not necessarily the dearest ? 

 Why is it not safe to plant seeds left over from past years ? 



Vitality of Seeds 



Plant seeds from immature fruits, using apples, cucumbers, 

 squashes, pea pods, etc. 



Plant seeds which have been a long time in bottles. Keep 

 a record of the number which are planted and the number 

 which sprout. Result? Inferences? 



Reference Work on Seeds 



The following questions are inserted here as suggestive 

 of what may be done by pupils in finding out facts relating 

 to seeds. 



How are seeds collected by the farmer for future planting? 

 How is a granary or corn crib built and why is it constructed 

 as it is? How is grain harvested? How shipped? 



