18 



THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDS 



The two kinds, however, can be told by examination of the seed 



itself. 



EXERCISES 



Study of Seeds and Seedlings. Soak a few seeds of beans and corn. 

 At the same time start seeds of both to germinating; also plant seeds of 

 each 3 inches deep in soil. 



(a) Take one of the beans and remove the skin and separate the two 

 cotyledons. 



Make a drawing (5 times enlarged) showing the little plant. Label 

 all parts. 



Take a germinated seed. Make a drawing and label all parts. 



Make a third drawing of a plant grown in soil, about two weeks old. 

 Label all parts. 



Fia. 6. On the left a germinator made by inverting a glass tumbler on a glass plate. 

 The seeds are placed on wet blotting paper. On the right a germinator made with two 

 plates and blotting paper. 



(6) Take a corn grain, which has been softened by soaking, and shave 

 down on germ side until germ is fully exposed. 



Make drawing and label all parts. 



Also make drawings of germinated seed and plant two weeks old. 



(c) Write up a short statement explaining how the plant lives while 

 developing its root system. What are temporary roots and permanent 

 roots? 



Germination of Seeds. Germination tests are important, interesting, 

 and easy to make, if properly managed, yet very poor results are often 

 obtained. 



The main points to observe are to keep the seed moist, and at a tempera- 

 ture ranging from 50 to 80 degrees. In general, it will take only one-half 

 as long to germinate seed at a temperature averaging 70 as compared \vith 

 a temperature of 50 degrees. There are exceptions, however, as a few seeds, 

 such as the clovers and a few grass seeds, germinate well at the lower 

 temperature. 



