Apr. 19, 1924 
Germination of Cottonseed 
291 
many hard seeds. Also samples which are kept in a heated laboratory 
rapidly lose moisture and give increasing trouble in germination. The moisture 
content of this dry cottonseed can be raised by sprinkling the seed with a small 
amount of water (about two gallons of water to one hundred pounds of seed), 
which should be evenly distributed by a thorough mixing of the mass of seed. 
Then the pile of seeds should be covered with canvas and left for a week to 
ten days. This moistened seed should be used promptly and not kept for any 
length of time. Under this treatment the hard seeds are rendered capable of 
taking up water from the soil, and the rapidity and uniformity of germination 
are greatly increased. (See PI. 2, C.) An unusually dry sample, when treated 
as described and planted in a rather dry soil in the field, germinated 65 per cent 
in 7 days, while the untreated portion germinated only 29 per cent in the same 
time. 
Prewetting or presoaking cottonseed before planting in the field has not 
increased the field germination where the soil moisture-was good. However, 
it greatly hastens germination where the soil moisture is not sufficient for the 
prompt sprouting of untreated seed but where there is enough moisture to 
maintain the seedlings after germination. From the experience of H. C. 
McNamara in Texas and in New Mexico, it is suggested as a promising mettfod 
to be used with caution under special conditions. 
SOME SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PRELIMINARY STUDY 
In a discussion of the results of this preliminary study two viewpoints are 
to be kept in mind—that of the seed analyst and that of the grower or planter. 
Any seed analyst who may have occasion to make germination tests of cotton¬ 
seed, at least of that grown in the Southwest, should recognize the existence 
of sensitive samples. It would seem to be only fair to the seed grower and 
the planter of the seed to distinguish these sensitive samples from undoubtedly 
strong samples and from samples containing a considerable percentage of dead 
seeds. This distinction may be made by making two germination tests as; 
outlined above. However, the report of the test should indicate that the sen¬ 
sitive samples are not so valuable as the strong samples. Analysts should 
endeavor to test samples promptly when received, or, if this is not possible, 
the samples should be protected from the loss of moisture, since excessive drying 
increases the tendency of sensitive samples to mold during germination, and 
the results of the test will not represent the true condition of the original lot of seed. 
Both the grower and the planter of cottonseed should recognize that all 
cottonseed, even of the highest quality, is more sensitive to conditions of ger¬ 
mination, both in the laboratory and in the field, than the seed of most field 
crops. It is important that great care should be exercised both in harvesting 
and in storing to insure sound seed. However, no information is now available 
to indicate how the occurrence of sensitive seed may be avoided. This 
phase of the subject is being worked on at present. When the seed analyst’s 
report indicates that planting seed is of the sensitive class, it shpuld be planted 
only when the temperature and moisture of the soil are very favorable for the 
germination of cottonseed. 
Cottonseed that is very dry will not germinate as promptly or vigorously 
as that containing a higher moisture content (approximately 12 per cent) at 
the time it is planted. On the other hand, it is undoubtedly true that during 
storage the dryer seed will keep its vitality longer. If, at planting time, the 
seed is excessively dry, it is suggested that the promptness of germination can 
be increased by artificially raising the mpisture content of the seed as described 
above. In most sections the increased moisture of the atmosphere which pre¬ 
vails in the spring will be sufficient to bring the seeds to a suitable condition 
for planting. 
