290 
Journal of Agricultural Research voi. xxviii, no. 3 
The results of the individual plantings at each station showed considerable 
variation, depending on the conditions at the time of planting. This is especially 
noticeable in the germination of the sensitive samples. The germination results 
for each of the successive plantings at Greenville, Tex., are given in Table III 
as illustrations of the variations obtained. 
Table III .—Summary of the average field germination of cottonseed for successive 
'plantings at Greenville , Tex., 1923 
• 
Sample No. 
Apr. 9 
Apr. 16 
Apr. 23 
May 2 
May 7 
May 15 
Average 
Per cent 
Per cent 
Per cent 
Per cent 
Per cent 
Per cent 
Per cent 
483____ 
61.4 
85.0 
73.6 
79.8 
62.4 
61.4 
70.6 
499_____ 
37.8 
75.6 
51.8 
79.2 
78.4 
59.6 
63.7 
G-40__.... 
57.0 
64.4 
66.2 
65.4 
65.6 
48.0 
61.1 
5114.... 
44.2 
52.8 
54.4 
55.6 
59.4 
49.8 
52.7 
C-7___.... 
31.0 
44.2 
52.6 
56.0 
58.4 
47.2 
48.2 
446_ 
31.2 
38.6 
38.8 
43.0 
41.4 
30.0 
37.1 
In the results of this field study of cottonseed germination, a few points stand 
out clearly. The strong samples, especially No. 483, gave consistently better 
stands than the sensitive samples. Sample No. 446 was consistently the lowest 
germinator in the field, as it had been in the laboratory. It is clear that, on 
the whole, these sensitive samples are not so poor as would be indicated by 
the result of the standard test. They are capable of producing a good stand 
of plants when field conditions are favorable. On the other hand, they are not 
so valuable as the strong samples, as would be indicated by the result of the 
test by the pre-wetting method, for they were decidedly less able to with¬ 
stand extremes of temperature or of moisture. In this connection, it should be 
emphasized that even the best samples of cottonseed are very sensitive to con¬ 
ditions of germination in the field and may fail to give a stand under unfavorable 
weather or cultural conditions. 
REPORTS ON THE LABORATORY GERMINATION 
As has been pointed out, a test by the prewetting method will determine 
the number of live seed and distinguish sensitive samples from samples of 
truly low viability. Although the standard method gives very variable results 
with these samples, it distinguishes them from the strong samples, and, in con¬ 
nection with the determination of the live seed, gives a very rough idea of the 
quality of the sample. With these points in mind, the following provisional 
procedure for reporting cottonseed germination has been adopted by our 
laboratory. 
Each sample is tested by both the standard method and the prewetting 
method. In addition to the report of the standard test, the result of the pre¬ 
wetting test is reported as “live seed.” Each report is accompanied by a brief 
explanation of the reason for the two tests and their significance. This same 
procedure is being followed by the Texas State Department of Agriculture. 
MOISTURE CONTENT OF STORED COTTON SEED 
The moisture content of the stored seed has been found to be an important 
factor in the germination of sensitive samples. As the moisture content 
falls below about ten per cent there is a gradual increase in the tendency of 
the sample to mold and decay during germination. Moreover, if the seeds 
dry out until the moisture content is between five and six per cent, there is 
a marked development of “hard seeds,” which fail to take up water at all. 
A sample from Sacaton, Ariz., was so dry when received that it contained 
