THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 



141 



88-91 . The reason is that in plants which are habitually propa- 

 gated by seeds, as the garden vegetables, we are constantly 

 discarding the forms which do not oome true, and are thereby 

 fixing the tendency to come true, since only the individuals 

 which do come true are allowed to per- 

 petuate themselves. In plants which are 

 not habitually propagated by seeds, this 

 selection does not take place, and the 

 tendency to come true is not fixed. 



217o. The longest-lived seeds are those 

 borne on plants which reach their normal, 

 healthy development. Those produced in 

 very dry years are apt to have low vitality. 

 Seeds should be stored in a dry and fairly 

 cool room. Tables of the longevity of garden seeds may be 

 found on pp. 104-107 of the 4th edition of "Horticulturist's 

 Rule-Book." 



Fig. 46. Seed-pot, covered 

 with glass. 



Fig. 47. Four layered shoots. 



219a. "Nursery-Book," pp. 1-7, discusses the means sf 

 regulating moisture, with illustrations. 



220a. As an experiment, plant corn ft foot deep in warm, 



