Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-06-13
Notes on Germinative Powers of Seed

Notes on Germinative Powers of Seed.
The following results are from tests
made at the New York experiment
station. 1t is well to observe that
seeds several years old often germi-
nate, but the percentage of those that
do decrease rapidly after a certain
age. 1t is a fraud therefore to sell
seed when that age of decreased per-
centage arrives, unless the fact is
made knownandIprice corresponding
ly reduced. Seed growers and ven
doris should be required by law to
print upon all packages the year in
which the seed were grown. ].
"The terminal kernels Of flint
maize gave to our trials stronger
germinative and vegetative power
than the central or butt kernels.
Flint corn harvested just at the
point of glazing, husked and hung
up to dry, continued the ripening
process 50 that at last it would not be
suspected but that our samples had
thoroughly ripened in the field.
Peas planted when at the edible
maturity vegitate as well as ripe
seed.
A potato grated on the tomato
produced tubers above ground just
above the graft.
We received from E. II. Libby, of
Rochester, plant Of StOwelPs Ever
green sweet corn but twelve and one
half inches tall, well formed, Of a
vigorous green, leafy, and bearing
three years, two of which were well
kerneled.
Beet seeds from one to fourteen
years of age were tested. The per-
centage which terminated seemed to
increase from 70 at one year to SO at
five years of age, and then decreased
to ten at fourteen years. The fresh
seeds began sprOuting in one day,
while four were required for the old.
est seeds.
Cabbage seed from two to seven,
teen years were tested. None sprou
ted over six years of age. The per.
centage which grew was good until
four years, after which it dropped tC
eleven.
OF III samples of onions seeds one
year old, 80 per cent. vegetated. O.
A samples two years old, 6S per cent
grew. OIL samples three years old
40 per cent. grew. Older than three
years none sprouted.
The oldest seed reported as grow
ing was cucumber at nineteen years
!, Fourteen per cent. terminated in two
days.
Tobacco seeds at seven years germi
mated Sc per cent, but at twenty
years none grew.
OF tomato seeds II samples tel
years of age terminated IS per cent.
and two samples at fourteen year.
terminated SO per cent.
In our trials last year we were sur
8 prised to find that the tip kernels o
> flint corn yielded more abundantly
than did the central or butt kernel
! of the ear. Butt seed yielded at tn,
! rate of 60 bushels, central seed 6
bushels, and tip seeds 81 bushels pc
i, acre. From carefully tried expert
= ments the conclusion is reached tina
tip kernels are in no wise inferior t
other kernels for use and seed
> Neither was the percentage Of SCUM,
e corn produced from selected SINAI
seed grains in any case less thai
;, from selected large grains.
- Regarding the depth of plantin
y corn, from one-fOurth inch to eigh
= inches, of 229 kernels planted at eac
4 depth, at one-fourth inch, 1870 grew
- at one inch, 1850; at two inches, l4S
at three inches, 1885, when it fell pre-
portionately to SO at eight inchet
When harvested there was little di
ference in the yield of sound cor
from one, two and three incht
dnnth -