GER3IIKATI0X. 181 



The advantage of this arrangement is economy of con- 

 struction, and the sand remaining constantly moist, 

 the seeds do not require watering. The only 

 precaution necessary is, that the water in the lower tin 

 compartment never be allowed to entirely evaporate. 

 If the ambient temperature is lower than 50 degrees F., 

 a lamp or candle would keep the water at the desired 

 temperature. When the seeds to be tested are planted, 

 the date, etc., are recorded. After four days the num- 

 ber of seed having germinated is counted. The 

 operation lasts about twelve days, and all seeds not 

 having then given signs of life are considered worth- 

 less. Insects soon attack beet seed if germination is 

 too slow. 



The Michel germinator consists of a square zinc 

 box about eight inches long and i^ inches high. In 

 this box is placed a plaster slab resting on four short 

 feet; on its upper portion are sixteen parallel ridges, in 

 which are placed the seed to be tested. The cover, 

 also of plaster, with a central hole, is used to protect 

 the slab against light and too rapid evaporation. The 

 slab, owing to its porosity, absorbs sufficient moisture 

 for the germinating test. 



The Israel germinator has also some advocates; 

 it is a zinc box about three inches in length, eight 

 inches wide and five inches high, and is covered with 

 glass. In this box are several — three to six — ger- 

 minating boxes, on the bottom of which are strips of 

 some woolen material for the absorption of water; these 

 hang over the boxes, absorbing water at one end and 

 dropping it out at the other; by reason of the siphon- 

 age, the seeds are thus kept constantly moist. 



A fact not to be overlooked is that, notwithstand- 

 ing all the precavitionary measures taken to procure an 

 average sample of seed, and submitting it to ger- 

 minating tests in germinators placed side by side, there 

 will be a variation in the number of sprouts after the 



