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IX. — On Seed-Steeping. By Edward Solly, Esq., F. R. S., 

 F. L. S., Hon. Memb. Roy. Agr. Soc. Eng. Experimental 

 Chemist to the Horticultural Society. 



(Communicated by the Chemical Committee.) 



From very early times it has been a favourite idea with the fol- 

 lowers of husbandry, that the produce of the ground might be 

 greatly increased by causing the seed to undergo some process of 

 preparation previous to its being sown. On looking over the 

 various writings of those who have made agriculture their study, 

 one cannot but observe how very frequently, great importance is 

 attnbuted to the preparation of the seed; and considering the mul- 

 titude of books which have been written, and the number of expe- 

 riments made by succeeding generations, it is not a little remark- 

 able that even at the present day it should still be open to inquiry 

 whether the steeping or preparation of the seed, does or does 

 not, to any extent supply the necessity of manure. We are told 

 by Virgil; 



Semina vidi equidem multos medicare serentes, 

 Et nitro prius, et nigra perfundere amurca, 

 Grandior ut foetus siliquis fallacibus esset. 



and we are told at the present time that by steeping the seeds of 

 ^'orn, & c ., in certain solutions, of nitre and other salts, a small quan- 

 tity will be absorbed, which will greatly increase the vigour and 

 luxuriance of young plants, and ensure without further manure a 

 much larger and more plentiful harvest, than could possibly be 

 obtained without the previous steeping. 



I will not attempt to give any sketch of what has been written 

 on the subject of seed -steeping, which would necessarily lead to 

 long and tedious details, but I shall content myself with a few brief 



