Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-03-21
hoW DO rEsT SEEDS.

EFOW ~ E1l oEEO0s
An Ecccilent aud valuable Contribution
for tho Farm scrnp-Book.
Among perhaps the most practically
useful divisions OF work which the
agricultural stations are engaged in, Is
that Of testing garden and field seeds
They hre thus enabled 10 point out to
the public the difference between re-
liable and unreliable dealers, and pur-
chnsers are justly entitled TO this in
formation. IL thus becomes an i'm
portant benefit 20 reliable dealers, who
suffer in many ways from counterfeite.
Cultivators themselves have not al
ways given the subject sufficient atten-
tion. They have made hasiy and SUI
perhcial trials Of seeds, and not unfre-
quently have done the seedsmen injus-
tice. They have planted in badly pre-
pared ground, and sometimes the seeds
are buried at the depth where they
can not grow, and other defective
treatment has rendered success impos-
sible and uncertain. Instances are too
common whore unjust oensure has been
given TO scedsmen on account OF the
failures OF the planters to give the
seeds n good, fine, mellow soil 70 grow
In, and TO place them at proper depths,
with sufficient supply OF moisture for
their gcrmination. IL is OF great i'm
portance for cultivators TO know good
seed from bad, and also 10 know
whether failure is 10 be attributed TO
poor seed or TO poor planting and cul-
tivation.
On the other hand, dishonest ven.
dcrs have opportunity TO do culti-
vators great injury. as they may
lose a good crop entirely from this
cause, after the ground has been
handsomely prepared, and skillful and
honest seedsmen suffer with them, in
the injury done TO an honorable busi.
ness. Some seeds retain their germi-
mating power for years, but are rarely
% good as fresh ones, while others are
OF little or no value unless perfectly
fresh. Old seeds may he mixed with
fresh ones. and all sold as fresh, the
portion OF the good seeds which come
up aiding in the deception. Spurious
kinds may be mixed with genuine;
and sometimes 10 prevent detection
the spurious ones have their germi-
mating power destroyed by heating.
Sometimes again the seeds Of bad
weeds. which resemble in appear
ance the seeds OF good kinds, are
mixed with them. Sand, the grains
of which are as large as clover seed,
has been colored TO resemble Il. and
largely mixed through Il and sold ex-
tensively TO farmers.
The agricultural stations are pro-
vided with means for determining the
percentage OF good and bad seeds In
supplies offered for sale The direc-
tors become familiar with the appear
ance OF different kinds, both genuine
and spurious, and may readily detect
them by sight, but they depend on
actually submitting them to the
practical test OF termination. count
Ing the percentage which grows
They determine the time required for
different kinds TO germinate, which Il
often necessary 20 prevent disappoint-
ment from false expectations on the
part OF purchasers
But farmers and gardeners them
selves should give more attention to
the subject They should know all
the requirements for success from good
culturo-tne soil, proper depth and
sufficient moisture; and, becoming IA
miliar with the appearance OF the
many kinds OF seeds, should themselves
test them on a small scale beforehand.
This they may do in winter In regu-
larly warmed apartments, in suitable
soil, In boxes, pots or pans. kept In all
tho proper conditions, counting the
number planted and the number which
appears. They may test old seed, and
determine its terminating value.
But they should not stop here They |
should make collections OF the seeds OF !
all kinds OF noxious weeds, as well as
OF those OF a more harmless character |
which may be used for adulteration. |
These should be placed in glass vials
or boxes, and distinctly labeled. The
knowledge which may be thus OBJ
tained would be OF much practical use
as well as satisfaction.
Such a collection might be easily
augmented by purchasing Of a relia-
ID scotsman Qf a botanist, all the bet
ter) a general collection OF such kinds
as cultivators should know.
A more frequent use OF the means
for ascertaining IL injured, or sprout-
cd, or frozen. or unripe seeds will
grow. would often save the trouble Of
making inquiry through the agricult-
ural papers for the information which
the inquirers could best obtain them
selves in the way which we have point
IA nlii - Cnl,nir,r Cnnt1n..n..