KEFFEL'S GERMINATING APPARATUS.

The apparatus represented in the annexed cut is designed to show the

quality of various commercial seeds, and make known any fraudulent

adulterations that they may have undergone. It is based upon a direct

observation, of the germination of the seeds to be studied.

[Illustration: KEFFEL'S GERMINATING APPARATUS.]

The apparatus consists of a cylindrical vessel containing water to the

height of 0.07 m. Above the water is a germinating disk containing 100

apertures for the insertion of the seeds to be studied, the

germinating end of the latter being directed toward the water. After

the seeds are in place the disk is filled with damp sand up to the top

of its rim, and the apparatus is closed with a cover which carries in

its center a thermometer whose bulb nearly reaches the surface of the

water.

The apparatus is then set in a place where the temperature is about

18°, and where there are no currents of air. An accurate result is

reached at the end of about twenty or twenty-four hours. As the

germinating disk contains 100 apertures for as many seeds, it is only

necessary to count the number of seeds that have germinated in order

to get the percentage of fresh and stale ones.

The aqueous vapor that continuously moistens all the seeds, under

absolutely identical conditions for each, brings about their

germination under good conditions for accuracy and comparison. If it

be desired to observe the starting of the leaves, it is only necessary

to remove the cover after the seeds have germinated.

This ingenious device is certainly capable of rendering services to

brewers, distillers, seedsmen, millers, farmers, and gardeners, and it

may prove useful to those who have horses to feed, and to amateur

gardeners, since it permits of ascertaining the value and quality of

seeds of every nature.--_La Nature._

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