The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1904-03-25
SEED TESTING.

SEED TESTING.
"Poor Stand" is the constant eX-
cuse given by farmers, for unsAtls-
factory crops. Every planter recog'
nizes the fact that missing hills and
vacant places in rows are among the
chief causes of low yields. Poor seed
is the most common single cause OF
the missing plants whose absence 50
materially cuts down the expected
crop. Notwithstanding the recogni'
ton of this fact, comparatively lew
planters go further toward assuring
q full stand than to exercise some
preference as the scotsman from
whom seed shall be obtained. The
majority of farmers still have mis-
taken idea that seed of their own pro-
duction and selection must needs be
of good quality, simply because it is
free from intentional adulteration'
The most important consideration
in the problem of good seed, and con-
sequently full stands, does not lie III
assurance against impure seed, or
seed false to name. The all impor-
tant factor is the strength, or germl-
mating power of the seed. Every III
telligent person is aware that the
strength or vitality of animals dc
creasrs after Il certain age limit Is
passed. 1t is equally well known
that the power of reproduction dim
inishes with this decrease i'll vitality,
till in old persons, or individuals, 1t
disappears altogether. The very per-
sons who are perfectly aware OF these
facts as observed among animals, and
who notice that very old trees de-
crease in fruitfulness, fail to apprecl-
ate and apply the same facts to the
seed which they plant, and on the oe-
yelopment of which their hopes OF
crops are founded.
The real life of the plant does not
begin with the sprouting of the Seed
but commences with the maturity OF
that seed, Each seed possesses an
actual period of life as well deilhed
rs is that of the plant produced from
| ii. Each kind of seed has its own
length of life, or period OF vitality
After this period has passed the
strength and reproducing power OF
that seed is on the decrease, till 1t
finally ceases. In other words every
seed has a well defined time during
which it will sprout and produce a
new plant if exposed to the required
conditions. After this time, or pc
riod OF vitality, has expired, this
seed will not terminate, cannot repre-
duce it's kind, and is utterly worth
less for planting, however perfect
may be its outward appearance.
Many persons in general way luI-
~ aware of these facts fail to apply
them in a logical way for the assur-
ing of crops from the seed planted
They are prone to look on the matter
US of little real practical significance
particularly 50 far as it applies to the
more common crops. For instance
how many farmers know that the Vi
tality, or terminating and crop max
mo mower of common field corn lasts
unimpared only two years, and thai
after this age seed corn is not safe tC
RELY on for a crop? In similar man
ner the planting age of every seed Is
definitely known, and the only posi-
tive safety lies in knowing the age OF
the seed planted. If it has passed
the natural limit Of its full vitality
il NAV still be used with reasonably
satisfactory results if the quantity
of seed used is increased in proper.
ton to the loss in terminating power
of the seed used. 70 Illustrate: Corr
three years old has, as Il rule, lost
one quarter of its vitality. If plant
ed at the usual rate, only three guar
tiers of it will sprout, and only three
quartes of crop may be expected. L
the quantity of seed planted, howeV'
er, be increased one quarter Il full
stand may result.
These facts should make it quite
apparent to any planter that the Vi
tality of his seed is most essential
and that knowledge of the length
or duration of the termination power
of the different seeds he plants is in
dispensable to his full success, and
is the most effective assurance
against that contingency against
whichhe otherwise helplessly strives,
the poor stand" which has So often
blasted his hopes of profitable crops.
1t is not only necessary to know
the age and vitality of the seed he in
tends using, but the ability to easily
test the seed for himself is equally
important. This may be simply ac-
complished rs follows: Take a pan
or bowl and fill with water one inch
deep. Float small board, chip or
piece of shingle in. this water. Cover
the board with a bit of cotton cloth
large enough so that the ends will
| dip into the water Lay the seed to
be tested on top of the cloth, and CO.
yer with second cloth. Leave the
apparatus in Il warm room till no
more seed have sprouted for two
days. The good seed will then all
have terminated. If you count the