252 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



of corn, and on the other side a bean. Fill in an inch and 

 a half or two inches more soil, and plant another seed of 

 each kind. Continue this until the last are planted within 

 an inch of the top. Watch to see whether depth of plant- 

 ing affects germination and subsequent growth of the plant. 



Plant some radish or other small seeds three inches 

 deep in tumblers. At the same time plant others at varying 

 depths, the last a little below the surface of the ground. 

 Note effect on growth. A good rule to follow in planting 

 most small seeds is to cover them with soil about four times 

 as deep as the seeds are wide. 



Is there anything else worth considering in planting 

 seeds ? In putting in a farm crop or garden plant one of 

 the most important things is to be sure that the seeds 

 planted will germinate. Sometimes all of the conditions 

 are right but there is something wrong with the seeds 

 themselves. We can never be perfectly certain that a seed 

 has the power to awaken into a growing plant until we try 

 it. To make then a germination test of grains that are to 

 be planted is very important. 



Germination test of corn. From the fall study desir- 

 able ears of corn have been selected from desirable stalks. 

 Now we must see whether or not these will grow. Six 

 grains from each ear should be chosen for the test, two of 

 these near the butt, two near the middle, and two toward 

 the tip. A simple method of testing is to put about three 

 inches of moist sand in the bottom of a box. Rule this off 

 into squares, two and one half inches each way. Place 

 six grains on each square with the germ side up. Number 

 the squares and ears to correspond. Place a sheet of 

 muslin or cheese cloth over the grains, cover with sand, 



