IN I K(J|ilC'J IDX J7 



liaccous plants. Variation in k'n.uth and intensity of tlie rest iierind 

 is greater lietween species tlian witliin species. Etherization tcnils 

 to stimulate seeds into early growth and to increase the percentagt 

 of total germination. Soaked and stratiric<l seeds are more stronglj 

 alTected hy cllicr than are dry seeds. A l:;dionr e.xjiosnre to ether 

 seems the most favorahle dose to force seeds to germinate. 



28. Handling fleshy fruit seeds. — Seeds of many fruits 

 r.iust be freed from their ilesh}' or pulpy covering's before 

 they can be stored or planted. When there is no danger 

 of injury to them the fruits may be crushed or ground. 

 For instance, apples are so treated, the pomace mixed 

 with water and allowed to stand until the pulp has par- 

 tially fermented. The process re(]uires a week to two 

 or three, dej ending mainl\- upon the temperature and the 

 character of the pulp. The seeds become separated from 

 ihc pulp and sink to the bottom. An occasional vigorous 

 stirring ai.ls the process of separation. 'J"he pulp is fi- 

 nally poured off, the seeds collected, re-washed and dried. 



Soft fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, strawber- 

 ries, and cranberries, are often treated in this way, thougii 

 they are perhaps as often handled like tomatoes, cucum- 

 bers, melons and other fruits, merely crushed under water 

 and then washed, the pulp being skimmed off and the 

 seeds allowed to settle. 



Sometimes the separation requires chemical treatment 

 to get rid of unnecessary membranes. I'or instance, the 

 m.embranes of persimmon seeds may be easily removed 

 after a soaking in weak caustic potash solution (a stick 

 I;) a pailful of water). 



I'Tesh ashes, lime and lye are of great help in freeing 

 nany seeds of their resinous coverings. 



29. Points to remember about seeds. — In Bulletin fjS 

 of the Bureau of Plant Industry, J. \V. F. Duvel writer 

 in substance as follows, e.xcept where brackets are used : 



A. Seeds are living organisms and must be properly treated to get 

 good results when sown. [They are dormant creatures. Or to use 

 an analogy, they are combined physical and chemical laboratories 

 which need only the proper conditions of moisture, heat and o.xygen 

 to get them in o|ieration.| 



