38 THE NURSERY-MANUAL 



treated in this way. They are soaked for twenty-four or 

 thirty-six hours, and it is commonly thought that if they 

 are exposed to a sharp frost in the meantime, better results 

 will follow. While still wet the seeds are sown. Scalding 

 water may be poured over locust and other seeds to soften their 

 coverings, but seeds should not be boiled, as sometimes recom- 

 mended. 



The germination of bony seeds is often facilitated by filing 

 or cutting away the shell very carefully near the germ, or by 



boring them. A bored nelumbo seed is shown in 



Fig. 20. Moonflower and canna seeds are similarly 



treated (page 22). 



Treatment with various chemicals has been 



recommended for the purpose of softening integ- 

 Fio.20. Bored ume nts, and also for some power which strong 



seed. . .. . - 



oxidizing agents are supposed to exert in hasten- 

 ing germination itself, but the advantages are mostly imaginary. 

 Secret and patented "germinator" compounds would better 

 be avoided. 



Pulpy and fleshy coverings should be removed from seeds 

 before sowing. Soft fruits, as berries, are broken up or ground 

 into a pulp, and the seeds are then washed out. This separation 

 may be performed immediately in some cases, but when the 

 pulp adheres to the seed, the whole mass is usually allowed 

 to stand until fermentation and partial decay have liberated 

 the seeds. The pulp will then rise, in most cases, leaving the 

 seeds at the bottom of the vessel. Seeds can be liberated 

 quickly by adding a stick of caustic potash to each pail of 

 water. After the mass has stood an hour or so, the seeds can 

 be rubbed out easily after the liquid has been poured off and 

 the water changed. Even tomato seeds may be cleaned in 

 this way. 



Seeds that have thin pulp, as the viburnums and many haws, 

 can be prepared by rubbing them through the hands with 



