iOa VEGETABLE GARDENING 



151. The longevity of seeds. — The life of seeds depends 

 upon (i) the kind of vegetables, (2) conditions under 

 which they were grown, (3) thoroughness of curing and 

 (4) storage conditions. In some years seeds lose their 

 vitality more rapidly than in others. The figures in the 

 following table relative to the longevity of vegetable 

 seeds are conservative, for it is not best to place too much 

 reliance upon tables of this character; the only certain 

 means of determining the vitality of seeds is to make 

 germination tests. 



The following table shows maximum ages of properly 

 cured and stored vegetable seeds when they will be likely 

 to germinate satisfactorily : 



Years 



Lettuce 4 



Muskmelon 5 



Okra 4 



Onion 1 



Parsley 1 



Parsnip 1 



Pea 3 



Pepper 3 



Radish 2 



Salsify 2 



Squash 3 



Tomato 5 



Turnip 4 



Watermelon S 



