46 BOTANICAL DEPAETMEXT. 



BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. 



Consulting Botanist to the Society — A. N. M'Alpike, Minto House, 

 Chambers Street, Edinburgh. 



The Society have fixed the following rates of charge for the examination 

 of plants and seeds for the bona fide and individual use and information of 

 members of the Society (not being seedsmen), who are particularly requested 

 when applying to the Consulting Botanist to mention the kind of examina- 

 tion they require, and to quote its number in the subjoined schedule. The 

 charge for examination must be paid at the time of application, and , the 

 carriage of all parcels must be prepaid. 



Scale of Charges. 



1. A report on the purity, amount, and nature of foreign materials, 2s. 



2. On the germinating power of a sample of seed, 2s. 



3. Determination of the species of any weed or other plant, or of any 



vegetable parasite, with a report on its habits and the means for its 

 extermination or prevention, 5s. 



4. Report on any disease affecting farm crops, 5s. 



5. Determination of the species of any natural grass or fodder plant, ^\•ith 



a report on its habits and pasture or feeding value. Is. 



The Consulting Botanist's Eej^orts are furnished to enable members — 

 purchasers of seeds and corn for agricultural purposes — to test the value of 

 what they buy, and are not to be used or made available for advertising or 

 trade purposes by seedsmen or otherwise. 



Instructions for Selecting and Sending Samples. 



In sending seed or corn for examination, the utmost care must be taken 

 to secure a fair and honest sample. In the case of grass seeds, the sample 

 would be drawn from the centre of the sack or bag, and in all cases from the 

 bulk delivered to the purchaser. If anything supposed to be injurious or 

 useless exists in the corn or seed selected, samples should also be sent. 



When possible, at least one ounce of grass and other small seeds should 

 be sent, and two ounces of cereals or larger seeds. The exact name under 

 which the seed has been bought (but preferable, a copy of the invoice) 

 should accompany the sample. 



Grass seeds should be sent at least four weeks, and clover seeds two 

 weeks before they are to be used. 



In collecting specimens of plants, the whole plant should be taken up and 

 the earth shaken from the roots. If possible, the plants must be in flower 

 or fruit. They should be packed in a light box, or in a firm paper parcel. 



Specimens of diseased plants or of parasites should be forwarded as fresh 

 as possible. Place them in a bottle, or pack them in tinfoil or oil silk. 



All specimens should be accompanied with a letter specifying the nature 

 of the information required, and stating any local circumstances (soil, 

 situation, &c.) which in the opinion of the sender would be likely to throw 

 light on the inquiry. 



