VITALITY OF SEEDS. 27 
These tables approximate to correctness. For instance, 
the Cucumber, Squash, Melons, etc., are laid down as 
good for ten years, I have, however, known very bright- 
looking Marrow Squash seed be worthless the first year. 
This was occasioned, no doubt, by drying the seeds by the 
fire or in an oven. Onion seed is sometimes spoiled in 
consequence of its having been packed away before it was 
thoroughly dry, which caused a slight fermentation so as 
to destroy the germ. Onion seed is worthless after the 
second year, but if the seed has been sunk in water to 
clean it, as is sometimes practiced, the seed is good only 
one year. I have known Onion seed that was perfectly 
dry and corked up tight in a bottle, to vegetate freely 
when eight years old; but if the seed should be bottled up 
in a damp state, its vitality would be fost within one year. 
Not unfrequently imported seeds, which have a long pas- 
sage over the water, acquire dampness so as to swell the 
seed and start the germ; such seeds, if planted immedi- 
ately, will all vegetate, but when dried again, very few 
will start. I have known Peas, Radish, and other seeds 
to be spoiled in this way. 
How much longer than the ten years, laid down in the 
book, Cucumber seed will retain its vitality, I have not 
yet learned. About eighteen years since we imported 
from London asmall lot of Sinott’s Early Frame Cucumber, 
which was said to be very fine for forcing. The seed was 
very expensive, £4 sterling for one quarter of a pound ; 
we sold only small packages of it, and having most of it 
left over, concluded to plant it for seed. It proved very 
productive, and the seed was sold in small parcels for ten 
years. Thinking it would not be safe to sell from it any 
longer, it was tied up in a bag and put in a tight bin in the 
garret, where it remained seven years, when it was discoy- 
ered one day, and curiosity tempted me to test it. I 
counted out 14 seeds, 10 of which vegetated. As gardeners 
