CHAPTER IV. 
HOW TO TEST SEEDS. 
/*"^\\\ ING to the great importance of having good seed to 
plant, it is wise to test the seed before planting, to 
determine the percentage of live seeds. Eighty-five to 
ninety five per cent, of seeds that will start is a good aver¬ 
age for No. i seed. Take an average sample, count out 
ioo seeds and place them in a seed germinator. In the 
absence of a germinator a simple one can be made as fol¬ 
lows. take an old uncracked kitchen plate, cut two pieces 
of thick cloth or blotting paper, the size of the inner part 
of the plate, wet thoroughly and drain them. Put one 
piece of cloth on the plate, and scatter the seeds evenly 
^ if) cover them with the second cloth. Put a piece of 
glass or another plate over it, to prevent evaporation and 
>ot in a warm place. Examine frequently. If ioo seeds 
are used, the number of seeds that sprout will be the per¬ 
centage of viable seeds. These sprouted seeds make fine 
specimens for germination studies. It is well to test all 
seeds. 
1 he following is a good form for a seed testing blank: 
Name of Seed, 
No. of Seeds in Germinator,.When put in (Date) 
Date. 
No. of Seeds 
Sprouted. 
No. of Seeds not 
.Sprouted. 
Per cent, of Seed 
S nrouted. 
Source of Seed,. 
Total percent, of seed sprouted, 
Remarks 
Tested b}-. 
*9 
