102 Principles of Plant Culture. 
Duration of Duration of 
Germinating Power. Germinating Power. 
Average. Extreme. Av. Ext’m. 
Years. Years. Yrs. Yrs. 
Eggplant 6 10 Parsnip 2. 4 
Endive .... Jo 10 Parsley 3 9 
Gutub) or Okra 5 10 Pea sive 3 8 
Hop ........- 2 4 Pumpkin 6 10 
Kohl-Rabi . 5 10 Rhubarb 3 8 
Leek......... 3 9 Salsaty ... 2 8 
Lentils . 4 9 Sea-kale ........ eid 1 Ka 
Lettuce. .. 5 9 Spinach (Prickly-seeded) 5 7 
Maize or I 2 7 Squash 6 10 
Melon — Musk.... 5 10 Strawberr 3 6 
Melon — Water... 6 10 Tomato.. 4 9 
Mustard, Black or Brown. 4 9 Turnip ... 5 10 
a 7 
QONIOW Bes ccisscccsissdssnsesassqesases stoes 
166. Conditions Affecting the Duration of Seed Vi- 
tality. A uniform degree of humidity and temperature, by 
causing little drain upon the life of the living cells, tends 
greatly to prolong the vital period of seeds. Secds deeply 
buried in the ground are often capable of germination at a 
great age, and kidney beans at least one bundred years old, 
taken from an herbarium, are said to have germinated. In 
these cases, the seeds were subjected to few variations in 
humidity and temperatare. 
Seeds usually retain vitality longer when not removed 
from their natural covering, probably because they are thus 
exposed to fewer changes of humidity and temperature. 
Timothy seeds, that become hulled in threshing, lose vitality 
sooner than those that escape hulling, even when the two 
sorts have been kept in the same bag. Indian corn is said 
to retain vitality longer on the cob than shelled, and longer 
when the ear is unhusked than if husked. 
167. Moisture is an Enemy to Stored Seeds except 
for the class that requires stratification (170). A little 
moisture in stored seeds is very liable to cause the develop- 
ment of fungi (moulds) that may destroy the embryo. Damp 
seeds are also liable to be destroyed bv freezing. Tt is im- 
