Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-03-29
Discussion Of Seed Grain


A seed is that part OF a plant which
nature has provided for perpctuating
the life of the variety. AS Il r%cproduc-
tive organ. potent in It's many hidden
characters. "A seed Is worthy of care
fui study and accurate analysis. 1t
too often happens that seeds are looked
upon simply as grain and not as living
organisms. ready to develop into grow
ing plants.
Seeds consist essentially of ~ en-
bryo or germ, an endosperm and a
seed coat. These three parts are in
direct relation to each other and are
subject to the effects of the soil and
climate upon the parent plants.
The germ is the living portion Of the
seed and consists of Il plantlet cm-
hedded in and attached to a cheese
stalky. broad OF leaf and have a well
developed root system. Thus the plants
from poor seed are UNIT to cope with
~unfavorable conditions Of soil and ell
mate. while those from good seed are
able to withstand them with better re-
suits.
How to Make n termination Test
Take two omlmon plates and get two
pieces OF cotton cloth bou the size OF
the plates. Dip the cloths In warm VIA
ter and speed one OF them on a plate.
From the seed that Is to be tested AXE
a handful and place on the table. Coun
out 100 seeds just as they come from
the edge OF the pile. Scatter these
100 seeds upon the wet cloth on tie
plate. Spread the other cloth over the
seed and press It down closely. Then
turn the other plate upside down on
the plate with the seeds. leaving the
n of the cloths sticking out be-
tween the plates. This makes a COM
plete little tester and liz sufficient for
all kinds of seeds. Place 1t where 1t
Will keep reasonably warm and keep
the cloths moist by sprinkling with wa
ter two or three times q day II neces
sary. Count carefully and keep a rec
ord OF the number OF seeds that have
sprouted each day until the test is COM
plete. Or until no more seeds show
signs Of life. A week Is as long as
hts should take.
Figuring the terminating Power
Add the counts OF the different days to-
gether n the total number will be the
per e OF termination. or al indica-
zion OF the value Of the grain for seed
If 80 To 80 seeds grew. the termination
II pretty good. but below 80 the value
Df the grain for seed begins to be
doubtful. and another test hOuld be
made Il little later TO see II the grain IL
losing Its power. 4 little more seed
can then be added in sowing to make
up Tor the dead ones. Or " the ger.
mination Is too low. new seed should be
secured. II the seeds all sprout about
the same time. 1t is "A sign OF Eoot
strength. but n a few sprOut each day
IN" vitality Is injured In some way.
From What has been said IL may be
inferred that by using poor seed q
farmer greatly lessons his chances FOL
a good crop. and such is the case. Blu
all does not depend upon the seed.
The Seed Bed-It may be easy or dif
fcult for the young plants TO get foot
from the soil. depending ON whether thu
seed bed has been well or poorly pre-
pared. To gather moisture and foot
through the roots 1t is necessary tina
the roots be In actual contact with tn.
soil 'articles. Therefore II Ia obviou.
that the seed bed should be fine ant
compact; such "A seed bed as would b,
made III fall plowed land by diskin,
In the spring and narrowing at leas
one before and once after sowing. 4
lunapy and Ope. or too wet and heav,
seed bed does not afford the hospitaDl
condition which insures prompt an,
Vigorous termination n growth. TIL,
best Of seed may make IL good stan.
gown Upon such a seed ned under favor
able conditions OF hea and moisture
Seed weak In vitality must have "A per
fecrly prepared seed bed to insure
fair stand. Even with seed OF the hes
quality. 1t Is wise to prepare the see,
bed we'll.
Selection OF Seed-Most armer an
prsciate the value OF good live stock
They select their best animals 70
breeding and market the others. The,
Iknow good aniryals will give them bet