VITALITY OF SEEDS. 87 



frequently found," he says, "that in November 

 almost every acorn left on the ground had either 

 sprouted or decayed. What with frost, drouth, 

 moisture and worms, the greater part are soon 

 destroyed, yet it is stated by one botanical writer 

 that " acorns that have lain for centuries on being 

 plowed up, have soon vegetated." 



Mr. George B. Emerson, in his valuable report 

 on the " Shrubs and Trees of Massachusetts," says of 

 pines: "The tenacity of life in the seeds is re- 

 markable. They will remain for many years un- 

 changed in the ground, protected by the coolness 

 and deep shade of the forest above them. But 

 when the forest is removed, and the warmth of the 

 sun admitted they immediately vegetate." " Since 

 he does not tell us on what observation his remark 

 is founded," says Thoreau, "I doubt its truth." 



Without giving further testimony I will simply 

 say in conclusion that few, if any, cases exist in 

 which seeds are known to have retained their vital- 

 ity over fifty years ; while a large majority lose their 

 vitality under ten years. Some kinds live the 

 longest covered with water or buried deeply in the 

 soil, while most kinds keep best if thoroughly dried. 



A good paper on this subject, by Professor Wil- 

 liam H. Brewer, may be found in the report of the 

 Connecticut Board of Agriculture for 1879, pages 

 203-221. 



