PREFACE. 



The seed of Kentucky bluegrass forms an important item in the 

 grass-seed trade of the eastern United States, both in the domestic 

 market and for export. In the absence of precise statistics, it may be 

 stated that the annual crop averages from 200,000 to 300,000 bushels, 

 with a value of $200,000 to $300,000. In the progress of our studies 

 in the seed laboratory a surprising variation was found in the percent- 

 age of germination of this seed. It was suspected that the vitality of 

 the seed was injured at some stage in the process of harvesting or 

 curing. An investigation was therefore instituted which has involved 

 an examination, by Mr. Pieters and Mr. Brown, of the field operations 

 of the growers in Kentucky during the harvesting seasons of 1900 and 

 1901, together with an extensive series of germination tests conducted 

 in Washington. This investigation, the first results of which are here- 

 with published, has demonstrated conclusively that the frequent low 

 germination of Kentucky bluegrass seed is in reality due to improper 

 treatment during the process of curing the crop, which results in over- 

 heating the seed and destroying its vitality. The investigation has 

 demonstrated, further, that this overheating is preventable. It is 

 believed that a drying apparatus can be used which will obviate the 

 difficulty and take the place of the expensive hand labor or expensive 

 storage facilities which otherwise are necessary. Further experiments 

 relative to such apparatus are planned for the coming year. 



Frederick V. Coville, 



Botanist. 



Office of the Botanist, 



Washington, D. C. , January 21, 190°2. 





