CHAPTER VII. 



OF SEED-PACKING, AND PLANT-PACKING. 



It seldom happens that seeds are sown as soon as they are 

 ripe ; it is sometimes desirable that they should be preserved 

 for long periods of time ; the power of conveying them for great 

 distances, through various climates, is one of those upon which 

 man most depends for the improvement of the horticultural 

 resources of all countries ; and for this purpose large sums are 

 annually expended, both by governments and individuals. It 

 is, therefore, an object of the first importance to ascertain what 

 is not well understood, as it would seem, namely, the causes 

 by which the destruction of the germinating power of seeds is 

 effected ; for it is only by doing this, that their preservation can 

 be secured. 



Seeds are probably possessed of different powers of Hfe, some 

 preserving their vital principle through centuries of time, while 

 others have but an ephemeral existence under any circum- 

 stances. The reasons for this difference are unknown to us, 

 and apparently depend upon specific vitality, over which we 

 have no control ; but the fact of great longevity in some seeds 

 is certain, and it is highly desirable that the conditions which 

 enable them to preserve their germinating power for long 

 periods of time should be discovered. 



It is, however, extremely difficult to reconcile with all known 

 facts any theory which physiology may suggest. What applies 

 to one class of cases fails to explain others. The instances 

 already mentioned at p. 103, are sufficiently conflicting ; for 

 they include examples both of dryness and wetness, and of ex- 

 clusion of air and its admission ; dryness and exclusion of air 



