34 



PLANT TKUlMGATIOiV 



59. Vitality of seeds. — Most seeds contain more or less 

 specimens that will not germinate at all. They are not 

 viable ; in other words, they are dead e\-en though freshly 

 gathered and properly handled. Among viable seeds 

 vitality varies greatly, but unless the germs be vigorous 

 they will not sprout well nor produce vigorous plants. 

 Hence the importance of buying the best. Since the 

 price paid for good seed is very little compared with the 

 value of the crop, the best farmers never haggle over the 

 "high prices" of seeds sold by reputable seedsmen (77). 



FIG. 27— NELUMBIUM (LOTUS) PROPAGATION 



L Seedlings in pots kept very wet. 2. Outdoor bed in pond. Seeds of 

 most water plants must "be kept moist from the time they ripen until they 

 have sprouted. 



