28 



THE NURSERY-MANUAL 



across to permit a f-inch brass rod to be run in (Y, p), from which the cloth 

 is suspended in the pan, as shown in the cut. The lower margins of the 



FIG. 13. Absorbing-block seed-tester. 



folds (o) are also sewn across to make them stay in place better. The 

 total length of the strip after the sewing is completed is about a yard. 

 Two such strips are used in each pan. 



"To put the pan into use, it is filled part full of water, two of the pre- 

 pared cloths put in, the glass cover adjusted and the whole boiled over a 

 lamp for a short time. This is necessary in order both thoroughly to wet 

 the cloth and to kill any mold or other germs. When again cool, adjust 

 the cloths on the brass rods and put in the seeds. Each fold will hold 

 25 large seeds, like beans, and a hundred or more small seeds. Water is 

 placed in the pan, but not enough to touch the folds of cloth ; the four flaps 

 drop down into it, however, and keep the cloths sufficiently wet by cap- 

 illarity, which is increased by the long nap on the under surface of the cloth. 

 The folds are numbered consecutively, and the record kept by the numbers. 

 "The advantages in a pan of this kind are the facility with which the 

 seeds may be examined and counted, the thorough and uniform moisture 



of the seeds throughout the longest trials, 

 its lightness and cleanliness. It is neces- 

 sary to renew the cloths from time to 

 time, as they will slowly rot out, even 

 with the best of care." 



A device of different character is 

 shown in Figs. 13 and 14 (Annals 



FIG.' 14. The tester shown in Uort., 1890, 268). It Consists of 

 Fig. 13 set up for use. ,1 , / \ 



three parts : a tin tray (c) for 



holding water; a block of gypsum (6) that sits in the tray 

 and contains several compartments for the reception of the 



