186 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



The plaster method has undergone certain vari- 

 ations. When prepared on a larger scale, about 200 

 lbs. of plaster are diluted in twenty-six gallons of water, 

 to which are added 100 lbs. of Peruvian guano; 250 

 lbs. of seed are rapidly combined with the product, pre- 

 caution being taken to thoroughly mix the mass. 

 The seeds are then spread out to dry. It is claimed 

 that the vegetation will be considerably accelerated. 

 There need be no apprehension of the seed being 

 attacked by mice; the outer shell, or covering 

 being well filled, there is no danger of holes, etc., 

 , offering shelter to insects, which, under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, is too frequently the case. The question 

 arises, What were the actions of the sulphuric acid? 

 Practical experiments appear to point out that caustic 

 lime combined with eight times its weight of water will 

 destroy the germinating power of seed. 



Pagnoul has shown that sulphuric acid diluted in 

 sixteen parts of water has a beneficial effect upon ger- 

 mination. Chloride and superphosphate of lime have 

 also been tried, but it appears that the chlorine took an 

 active part. As Humboldt and others have proven 

 that the germination of steeped beet seed is accelerated 

 by the action of that chemical, the rule appears to hold 

 good, even for old seed; sixteen parts of water and one 

 part of hydrochloric acid slightly decreases the ger- 

 minating power. If the water is only acidulated with 

 the acid, the contrary is the case. Nitric acid, i-ioo 

 solution, prevented three-fourths of all seed planted 

 from germinating. All seeds, even after twenty-four 

 hours in the above solutions, retained their germinat- 

 ing po^ver; furthermore, it is maintained that the 

 sprouts were more hardy than if they had been steeped ' 

 in pure water. 



It has been proposed to use sulphurous acid and 

 chlorine to hasten germination ; great care is necessary 

 in order not to destroy the germs. Hot, moist air is 



