which will be observed on top of the agar. Do not 
‘breathe into the container, and do not work in a draft. 
To do so may result in contamination of the agar from 
mold, which means that all of your efforts will have 
been wasted. Replace stopper or lid, and where stoppers 
are used, invert sterile glass or paper cup over top. 
Repeat the operation until you have planted your seed. 
Thin planting is preferable to thick planting. If planted 
too thickly, the seedlings will get spindly and will be 
more difficult to transplant successfully when the time 
comes. 
The next day, rotate container in which you have planted 
seed, tilting sharply to distribute seed evenly over the 
surface of the agar. Be patient -- quick, abrupt move- 
ments will cause some of the seed to get down between 
the side of the container and the agar. Even with care, 
a little will do this anyway. 
Signs of germination will appear in 4 to 6 weeks, but 
may be 8 weeks or longer, depending on temperature. 
70 to 80 degrees minimum is desirable -- in the shade. 
Do not expose containers to full sunlight. 
Alternate method of Planting 
Another method of planting, and perhaps easier, is to 
replace the seed in the test tube after you have filtered 
the sterilizing solution from it. Refill the tube with — 
distilled water betfore or after placing the seed in it, 
depending on which you find easier. Shake the tube to 
distribute the seed in the water, and draw up a quantity 
of seed and water in a hypodermice syringe or medicine 
dropper, and eject onto the agar. Needless.to say, 
all implements used must be sterile. 
Extra Precaution 
As an added precaution to. prevent contamination, swab 
the necks of the flask or bottles, or the rims of the 
fruit jars with the sterile solution before re-stopper- 
ing or replacing the lids. Note: Be sure to sterilize 
jar rubbers at the same time you sterilize jars and 
agar. 
