STORIXG OF SEEDS 643 



are best sown as soon as possible after they are ripe. Their 

 vitality may, however, be usually prolonged for a limited period by 

 placing them in a dry porous mixture, such as charcoal, burnt 

 paddy husk, coir-dust, sawdust, finely sifted dry soil, etc. Small 

 dryable seeds, having been thoroughly dried, are best kept in 

 stoppered bottles or air-tight tins, which afford protection from 

 weevils and other destructive insects, as well as from the baneful 

 effects of damp and mould. Imported seeds, especially those of 

 annuals and vegetables, which are not sown immediately after 

 arrival, should always be stored away in air-tight tins or stoppered 

 jars, and kept in a cool place until required ; otherwise they will 

 soon become useless. Where this is impracticable, as in the case 

 of paddy and other grains, naphthalene is an excellent preventive 

 against weevils and other insects. 



