By Edward Solly, Esq. 



209 



however worthy of remark, that of the first series of Lupine seed 

 steeped in the strong solution, 13 came up out of 60, whilst in the 

 second series of those steeped in the weaker solution, only 9 came 

 up out of 60. It is remarkable that the smaller quantity of the 

 salt, seemed to do more harm than the larger. 



Two distinct operations are very frequently spoken of under 

 the general name of seed-steeping ; the one consists in sinking the 

 seeds in a considerable quantity of some liquid, the excess of which 

 is poured off when it is judged the seeds have absorbed as much 

 as is desirable ; the second, when the seeds are soaked in a very 

 small quantity of the solution, not more being used than they are 

 able to absorb, so that there subsequently does not remain any 

 liquid to be drained off, a quantity of dry lime or other powder 

 being sifted upon the seeds and stirred up with them so as to 

 dry the surface partially. It is evident that these two are very 

 different operations and calculated to produce very different effects. 

 By an operation of the first sort, light, blighted, and worthless 

 grains which rise to the surface may be readily separated from the 

 sound seeds, and the eggs of insects may be destroyed, which if 

 sown with the seed might soon hatch and destroy the young plants. 

 In the second process these effects are not attained ; the seeds as 

 in the first-mentioned plan absorb a certain quantity of a solution, 

 and in addition are externally coated with a small quantity of lime, 

 or some other dry substance, which in a soil deficient in the sub- 

 stance employed may constitute a useful and valuable manure; 

 whilst at the same time when lime is employed, it will probably 

 defend the seeds from any insects in the soil. 



It is evident that the value of any steep or process of preparing 

 seed, will in great part depend on the nature of the soil where the 

 seed is sown, and the weather or peculiar conditions of the season 

 when it is used. It must always be remembered that no process of 

 steeping can possibly replace the use of manure; if by steeping 

 the seed we are enabled to obtain from the soil a larger crop than 



v ol. m. 2nd series. 2 E 



