66 SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



amount of moisture. All seeds require some moisture 

 before they will germinate. 



EXERCISE 21 



Object. — To show that seeds require moisture for 

 germination. 



Procedure. — Fill a narrow bread pan two thirds 

 full of water. Secure a piece of window glass at least 

 a third longer than the pan, but so narrow that one 

 end of it will drop into the pan while the other extends out 

 beyond. Cut a piece of blotting paper the same size and 

 lay it upon the glass. 



Moisten the following seeds slightly to make them stick 

 to the blotter; then lay them in rows lengthwise upon 

 it: 



A row of rough rice. 



A row of alfalfa seeds. 



A row of Teparie beans.' 



A row of wheat. 



' These little Teparie beans have a unique and interesting 

 history. They now form an important article of diet for many 

 of the Indians of Arizona and adjacent states where the rainfall 

 is only about nine inches per year. " Throughout a one thousand 

 mile circle of semi-arid and subtropical country are found the 

 scattered relies of prehistoric agricultural tribes. The ruins of 

 their houses and their ditches, their pottery, their implements of 

 stone, and sometimes their bones remain to us. But of greater 

 value and interest than any of these are the descendants of these 

 tribes, and some of the ancient crop plants which yet endure." 

 Teparie beans have come down to us from these ancient tribes. 

 The seed will germinate in a surprisingly short time ; and the 

 plants will endure severe drouth and set seed in the hottest and 

 driest weather. They may lose every leaf ; but with a passing 

 shower, they put forth leaves again and continue growth. They 

 are sure to occupy an important place in the agricultural develop- 

 ment of the semi-arid Southwest. 



