THE VITALITY OF SEEDS.
BY W. J. BEAL.

IN the fall of 1879, five years ago, I began some experiments, hoping
to add something to the information which we now possess on this
subject. I selected fifty seeds of each of twenty-three different kinds of
seeds of common plants. I prepared twenty lots of these seeds all
alike. Each lot, or "set" of seeds, was well mixed in moderately moist
sand, just as it was taken, from three feet below the surface, where the
land had never been plowed. The seeds of each set were well mixed
with the sand and placed in a pint bottle, the bottle being completely
filled and left uncorked and placed with the mouth slanting downward.
The bottles were buried about twenty inches deep below the surface of
the ground on a sandy knoll. The acorns were not placed in the
bottles, but were left near them.

About the 25th of July, this year, I took up one of these bottles and
began testing the seeds. I might say here, that two years ago I dug
down to the acorns and found them all decayed. The other seeds at
that time were not disturbed. I placed the sand in some shallow
porous saucers, which were set in a very little water near the south
window of our botanical laboratory. I regret to say, that after trying
them a little over a month, to August 27th, there were still seeds just
starting to grow; so my report is not complete.

During a considerable part of August the weather was unusually
cool, and most likely more of the seeds would have started had the
weather been warmer, or had artificial heat been applied. I now give
the names of each species, opposite which are the number which germinated, and some comments.

45
Amaranthus retroflexus, L. Pig-weed. 19 germinated.

Ambrosia artemisiafolia, L. Rag-weed. 0, certainly. Several empty
rotten cases or shells were seen.

Brassica nigra, Koch. Black Mustard. 0.

Bromus secalinus, L. Chess, Cheat. 0, certainly. Several old kernels,
with paleæ adherent, were found, but all were decayed and empty.
In at least three cases one or more dead slender roots were found,
showing that they had sprouted and died while below ground.

Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Moench. Shepherd's Purse. 43 germinated.
Some taken out the day these notes were written up.

Erechthites hieracifolia, Rof. Fire-weed. 0, certainly.

Euphorbia maculata, L. Spotted spurge. 0, certainly. Quite a number
of seeds were found, and they seemed plump and sound, but none
sprouted.

Lepidium Virginicum, L. Wild Peppergrass. 25 germinated. One
taken out the day of writing this.

Lychnis Githago, Lam. Common Cockle. 0, germinated certainly.
Many old coverings were seen, but all were empty.

Maruta Cotula, D. C. May-weed. 13 germinated certainly. Several
empty coverings were found. Two taken out the day of writing
this note.

Malva rotundifolia. Common mallow. 1 (?) germinated. Many empty
seed-coats were seen.

(Oenothera biennis, L. Evening Primrose. 38 germinated. Several
taken out the day this was written.

Plantago major, L. Common Plantain. 0, certainly. Some empty
seed-coats seen.

Polygonum Hydropiper, L. Smart-weed. 3, certainly. Many empty
seed-coats were seen.

Portulaca oleracea, L. Purslane. 19 germinated, when the weather
was hottest.

Quereus rubra, L. Red Oak. 0, certainly. All dead after two years.

Rumex Crispus, L. Narrow or Curled Dock. 44 germinated. Some
taken the day of this writing.

Setaria glaura, Beauv. Fox-tail, Pigeon grass. 3 certainly, and others
seen apparently sound. This grass needs much heat.

46
Stellaria media, Smith. Chick-weed. 34, certainly.

Thuja occidentalis, L. Arbor Vita. 0, certainly. Some empty seedcoats seen.

Trifolium repens, L. White Clover. o, certainly. This is quite surprising. [Since reading this paper 5 seeds germinated.]

Verbascum Thapsus, L. Common Mulleins. 17 germinated. Some
taken out the day of this writing. Twelve seeds germinated, about
which there was some uncertainty.

A word to those who contemplate any similar experiment. Do not
mix seeds together, especially when they are small and resemble each
other somewhat closely. If placed in bottles, take pains to press or
pack the soil in quite firmly. Test similar seeds at time of starting
experiment, to know about vitality of those tested.