Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1904-02-20
SD Testing.

We are just beginning to appreciate
the great variation there is in the
germinability of seeds in common use
on the farm. Recent investigations
have reused farmers to a conscious
ness of the fact that good and poor
harvests are frequently the result OF
the quality of the seed sown. In the
past when the harvests have been
partial failure, we have laid it almost
always to the soil or to weather con-
d1tfons prevailing at the time the crop
was grown. We have attached too lit
tie importance to the question of good
and poor seed. We have been too
trustful in the purchasing of our seed,
assuming that all the men that were
making a business of seed selling
were doing the right thing by their
customers. But when we examine in
to the matter we find that very fire.
quently the seed bought is so old that
1T has lost its power to germinate or,
through being frozen while yet sue
culent, had its terminating power de-
stroyed. 1t therefore becomes neces-
sary for us to do a little experiment
Ing with the seeds we are to plant to
md out If what we are about to put
into the ground has the power of
growth. termination tests are very
easily carried on and every farmer
IAN find out for himself whether the
seed he is to plant is good or not. 1t
is only necessary for him to supply
to the seeds the proper amounts of
light, heat and moisture.
The seeds may be placed in boxes
OF earth, set in the vicinity of the
stove at first and away from the di-
rect light till growth has begun. An
other simple method is to place the
seeds between damp cloths between
two plates. OF course some numer-
fcai base must be established and 100
seems about the best number to use,
as it is then always easy to figure
out the percentages of germinable
seed. The cloth used in the plates
may be of felt or wooden, or anything
that will hold a good deal of moisture.
The plate being covered with another
plate will prevent too rapid evapora-
tion, which would be likely to leave
the seeds dry. 1t is also common to
use seive covering the bottom with
a piece of muslin. Over this muslin
is spread a half inch of sand. The
seeds are placed in the sand and all
kept moist.
1t is not enough to ind out how
many seeds will germinate. It is
necessary to find how many will send
up good strong shoots and promise
to make thrifty plants. There are a
good many seeds that will send up
weak shoots that never have the pow
er of strong development. A few of
these will not make much difference
with the harvest, hut when the pro-
portion is large it IS evident that the
seed q oh ho no
man that he's already purchased a
large quantity of seed will at least
be able to form some idea as to how
much he should plant. II the seed all
terminates or the larger part of it,
he will know that it can be used
sparingly on his fields, while If
small percentage terminates he can
figure out how much will need to be
sown to give him the desired stand.
1t is better, however, to buy some
seed and test it before laying in
large supply. In this way he will
save himself the expense of investing
money in lot OF seed that will not
show a reasonable amount of germin-
ability.
Too much, however, must not be
looked for, and 100 per cent of ger
minable seeds is not the standard that
must be used. That is, a man would
be unreasonable to demand of the
scotsman that 200 per cent of his
seed should germinate. A govern
ment official compiled a statement OF
seed terminating tests made at
number of stations in this country.
Approximately they were as follows:
Asparagus 60, beans 85, beets 60, cab
bage 20, carrots so, celery IS, clover
har lott
IS, oats 80. onions IS, parsnips 45,
peas SIS, pumpkins 55, radish IS. toma-
to rs, wheat 81. These averages were
considered low. Celery and parsnips
are practically worthless after two
years of age.