214 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 
In a large dinner plate with a smooth, round edge 
place about half an inch of moist soil. Place two layers 
of cheesecloth, cut in the form of a circle, so that they 
will cover the soil but will not reach over the edge of 
the plate. Slowly sprinkle water on the cloths until 
they are uniformly moist, and on them place the seeds 
to be tested. Cover the seeds with a plate. 
If one hundred seeds are placed in the germinator, 
the percentage of good ones may be easily calculated. 
In selecting seeds care must be taken to obtain a fair 
sample. If the seeds are in bags or boxes, the ight ones 
may be on top. Take some from every part of the box. 
In the case of corn on cobs, make a selection of twenty 
ears from different parts of the bin, then take five grains 
from different parts of each ear. 
If a glass bell jar can be obtained, it may take the 
place of the upper plate when the seedlings have begun 
to grow. The vigor of the seeds, as well as their sprout- 
ing quality, may then be observed. 
Conditions of germination of seeds. In order that the 
young plant may utilize the food stored in the seed until 
it establishes itself in the soil, it must be provided with 
the necessary conditions of warmth, air, and moisture. 
Warmth. The degree of warmth varies with the plant. 
Some seeds will germinate when the temperature is very 
near freezing, while others require considerable heat. 
Although growth may begin at a lower temperature, 
there is a certain degree of warmth, called the opti- 
mum temperature, at which the best results may be 
