10 



VITALITY OF BURIED SEEDS. 



The pots containing these seeds were buried at three different depths. 

 Eight complete sets were buried from 6 to 8 inches below the surface, 

 being covered approximately the same as would result from deep 

 plowing. Twelve complete sets were covered to a depth varying from 

 .18 to 22 inches, sufficiently deep in this latitude to be reasonably 

 secure from the action of frost. Twelve more complete sets were 

 buried at a depth varying from 36 to -±2 inches where the conditions 

 were nearly uniform, so far as the three factors which regulate the 

 germination of seeds are concerned, namely, heat, moisture, and air 

 (oxygen). .Figure 1 shows the arrangement of the pots, which were 

 of 6-inch, 4-inch, and 2-inch sizes, to accommodate the different kinds 

 of seed. 







Fig. 1. — Diagram showing order in which seeds were buried. 



These seeds were buried December 19 to 23, 1902, in a heavy clay 

 soil on the Arlington Experimental Farm of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. With the exception of two of the duplicate 

 samples of red clover, the seeds were of the harvest of 1902. 



In each case a definite number of seeds was taken. Of the larger 

 kinds, such as beans, peas, corn, etc.. 100 seeds were used, but for the 

 majority of the samples 200 seeds were taken. The seeds selected 

 were for the most part of plants with which the greater number of 

 the farmers throughout the United States are more or less familiar, 

 either as plants of economic importance or as weeds. 



In all 32 complete sets, representing 3,581 pots, were buried. One 

 set from each of the three different depths is to be taken up as the 

 conditions warrant and will be tested for vitality. The results of 

 these tests are to be compared with the germination of seeds from the 

 original bulk samples designated throughout this report as "controls." 



