AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 147 



of days of germination. The lowest, No. 31, was given two trials 

 in the germinator, and one in wet sand, 18 per cent being the most 

 sprouted. We found in this case, as well as in others, that the 

 largest seeds gave the best results. Notice the weight of seeds 

 given in the table, and it will generally be found that the heaviest 

 are the best. On the whole the garden seeds show a fair rate of 

 vitality, the exceptions can be easily seen. 



By looking in the column marked " Per Cent Sprouted," it will be 

 seen that the range is as wide as is possible, being 100 in the cow- 

 peas, and incarnate or scarlet clover, and in four of the grasses. 

 As the conditions were very nearly the same in each ease, it plainly 

 shows the difference in seed. By comparing the grasses one will 

 see that in the more common kinds, for instance Timoth}-, the per 

 cent germinated is high, 88 to 95, while in those rarely sown it is 

 low. This is easily explained, as seed for which there is but a 

 slight demand, would remain on sale for a long time, so that the 

 greater the demand the newer the seed. This is a good illustration 

 of the difference between new and old seed, as the per cent sprouted 

 varies from 95 to 0, and from the more common to the less common 

 kinds. The clovers show a high per cent of germination, through- 

 out, some of them sprouting 95 per cent, in twenty-four hours from 

 the time they were put in the germinator. In studying the tables 

 notice the number of days before the seeds began to sprout, as 

 rapid sprouting shows high vitality. 



The conclusions we draw from these experiments put into rules to 

 aid in purchasing seed, would be, see that seeds look new and fresh, 

 notice whether the}- are plump or shriveled, and whether or not they 

 are uniform in size. If some are large and some small, onl^- the 

 former will grow. Also see that thej' are free from foul seeds, as 

 many troublesome weeds are introduced in this way. Buy of some 

 reliable dealer, and continue to do so as long as the seeds are satis- 

 factory. Buy seeds grown in our own State or from localities as far 

 north. Farmers can easil}' test seeds, by putting them between 

 damp cloths, or sheets of blotting paper. 



Experiments with Forage Plants. 

 Sixty-six plots were sown last spring with grass seed and the 

 seeds of other forage plants. A report will be made of these ex- 

 periments another season. The station has started a collection of 

 seeds, and steps are also being taken to form a herbarium of grasses 

 and other forage plants. 



