Germination, sprouting, the formation of a plantlet. Three conditions are requisite—moisture, warmth, and oxygen. Moisture softens the coverings of the seed, relaxes the embryo, and dissolves and renders available the plant food stored by nature in the seed. Air supplies oxygen. Warmth stimulates vital action, just how cannot be known until we know what life is. The temperature requisite to promote germination varies for different seeds. Some seeds sprout at the temperature of ice water; others require a temperature of 60 °F. to start. Wheat, the hardiest of our cereals, sprouts at a temperature of 36 °F. Experience has found that the germination of wheat, rye, oats, and flax goes forward most rapidly at a temperature of from 77 to 87 °F., and that corn and pumpkin seeds sprout best at 92 to 101 °F. Corn that will sprout in three days at 65 °F. requires 11 days at 51 °F. Oats that sprout in two days at 65 °F. require 7 days at a temperature of 41 °F. Many seeds, especially oily seeds like mustard may lie in the ground for years without sprouting; but, once started, it is desirable that the growth be not checked by a change of conditions, as a checked plantlet is likely to be a stunted plantlet.
