86 Forest Club Annual 



five hundred seeds each, according to estimate, are obtained. One 

 of these portions is then discarded and from the other portion 

 five hundred seeds in series of one hundred are counted out. This 

 is considered to be as nearly a representative sample as can be 

 obtained. There are various types of mechanical separators 

 made for this purpose, but they offer nothing of real value in 

 the way of increased accuracy, and besides, are slower than the 

 hand method. 



At the same time the following data are recorded for each 

 lot of seed, the lot being designated by a Roman numeral. 



Sample No. 



Species. 



Pounds of seed in the lot. 



Origin. 

 Date. 

 Place. 

 Altitude. 

 Exposure. 

 Notes or remarks on mother trees. 



Method of drying cones. 



Method of storing seed. 



Number of uncleaned seed per pound. 



Number of clean seed per pound. 



The first sample tested from Lot I would be Number 1 and 

 designated as 1-1. 



"Method of drying cones" means whether kiln dried or sun 

 dried. This is of importance, since it may help at times to ex- 

 plain unexpected results. Too high a temperature applied in the 

 kiln at the time of drying the cones seriously impairs the germina- 

 tion of the seed. 



The number of uncleaned seed per pound is obtained by 

 weighing out an ounce of seed from one of the portions discarded 

 and then counting the number of seeds, after which the number 

 per pound can be calculated. This figure is of great value, since 

 from it and the practical germination per cent the amount (by 

 weight) of seed to be sown per unit area in the nursery or field 

 is calculated. 



The number of clean seeds per pound is obtained by re- 

 moving all foreign matter from the ounce of seed used above, 

 reweighing and again calculating the number per pound. 



The other data are obtained from notes made by the seed 

 collector. 



The seed sample is then ready for placing in the germina- 

 tion apparatus. 



