SEED ITS SELECTION AND TREATMENT. 423 



which, while it preserves them from injury, greatly retards 

 their process of germination, and renders it irregular when 

 in the soil. Though in appearance but a single seed, the 

 removal of the envelope shows that the interior contains 

 three seeds, two of which are fertile, and one usually 

 barren. These have been separated by being passed 

 through a bean-mill, and it is stated, by thus depriving 

 them of their covering, they germinate more readily. 

 This irregularity of germination has everywhere been re- 

 marked, and has led to the practice of steeping the seeds 

 previous to sowing, so that the outer covering might be 

 completely saturated, and thus furnish to the germs within 

 sufficient moisture for their initial processes of vital action, 

 which, when once well started, would be supported by the 

 moisture naturally contained in the soil. Simple immersion 

 in plain water for twenty-four to forty- eight hours previous 

 to sowing, is all that is required. The seed should then be 

 spread out on the floor to dry sufficiently to prevent them 

 from adhering to each other, which can readily be secured 

 by sprinkling a little sand or fine ashes over them, to absorb 

 any surplus moisture that may remain. If this is carefully 

 managed, the seed thus steeped is sown as easily as dry 

 seed, while its more equal germination and regular growth 

 in the drill testify to the advantage of the practice. Still, 

 a great difference of opinion exists as to its merits; if 

 from any cause the sowing be delayed after the seed is 

 steeped, it is apt to heat and be injured; or if it be sown 

 in a very dry or badly tilled soil, the seed may commence 

 but not be able to carry on the process of germination, 

 and thus be destroyed, whereas in such soils unsteeped 

 seed would remain dormant until sufficient rain had 

 fallen to saturate them, and thus to start the seed and 

 insure its presence above the ground. 



The seed is either deposited by "dibbling" or by "drill- 

 ing;" the former is the original practice, and is still to be 



