VI TESTING PASTURE SEEDS AT HOME 53 



tins, dishes, etc., used must be sterilized by being washed in boiling water, to 

 destroy fungus spores. 



Method of Procedure. — Having placed our seeds between the folds of 

 the flannel or blotting-paper in whichever apparatus is most conveniently 

 prepared, together with a slip of paper bearing in pencil the name of the 

 species or variety, the number of seeds employed and the date of the com- 

 mencement of the experiment, we must each day count and remove all 

 sprouted seeds, at the same time marking in pencil on the paper the number 

 so abstracted. At the end of the period of germination previously specified, 

 the total number of germinated seeds is counted ; and from their sum the 

 percentage of germination is readily calculated. Though the hard-shelled 

 seeds are not included in the number of sprouted grains, special mention 

 should be made of them after they have been carefully counted. 



