TIMOTHY SEED PRODUCTION 7 



ity to grow, gradually decreases. After 2 or 3 years the percentage 

 of germination of any particular lot of seed may fall below 85 

 percent. On the other hand, timothy seed sometimes retains a ger- 

 mination of 85 percent or more for 4 or even 5 years. Timothy seed 

 stored in a comparatively cool and dry place retains its viability 

 longer than if kept where the air is warm and humid. 



In most lots of timothy seed some has been hulled; occasionally 

 a large proportion is hull-less. It has been shown that within a 

 few months after harvest the seed without hulls grows as well as 







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1 



Figuke 2. — Timothy seeds with hulls (XlO). 



that with hulls, but that the hulled seed loses its germinability more 

 rapidly than the seed with hulls. The value of seed a year or two 

 old may depend, therefore, to a considerable extent on the propor- 

 tion of hulled seed present. 



Impurities in Timothy Seed 



There are two classes of impurities in timothy seed: (1) Inert 

 matter, such as particles of sand or broken pieces of stems; and (2) 

 seeds of other plants than timothy. The commonly accepted stand- 

 ard is 98 percent or more of pure seed. Good grades of timothy 

 seed often have less than 1 percent of impurities. 



The first group of impurities is usually of but slight importance. 

 The importance of the second group depends upon the kinds of for- 

 eign seeds that occur. 



