46 



SEED TESTING. 



The testing of the vitality or germinating power of samples of seed grain sent 

 by farmers from all parts of the Dominion has been continued. Dui-ing the season 

 2,957 samples were tested, which is more than double the number which was tested 

 in 1890. Among these there were more than 1,200 samples of two-rowed barley, chiefly 

 from Ontario, which showed an excellent average of about 95 per cent. The house, 

 which was built partly for this purpose, is shown in Fig. 2; it is commodious and 



Flo. 2. — Building for seed testing and seed grain distribution. 



well adapted for the work. The hinder portion consists of tvvo glass structures, each 

 about 75 feet long, one of which is devoted to seed testing and propagating; the 

 other contains a most instructive collection of named plants and shrubs from all 

 parts of the world. The front part is used for storing seed grain, and it is from this 

 building that the lai-ge annual distribution of seed grain is made to applicants from 

 every part of the country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



