SEED TESTS MADE AT THE STATION DURING 



1913.* 



M. T. MUNN. 



SUMMARY. 



Part I. — During the year, 292 official samples of seed were drawn 

 from dealers' stocks by authorized representatives of the Commis- 

 sioner of Agriculture. Analyses of these samples showed 17.5 per 

 ct. to be violations of the seed law, i. e., they contained in excess of 

 three per centum by count of foul or foreign seed and were not so 

 labeled. Lawn grass and grass seed mixtures were the most frequent 

 violations, with alsike clover, red clover and redtop grass, respect- 

 ively, coming next in order. Seed dealers experience some difficulty 

 in determining the percentage of foul and foreign seed by the 

 " count " method for the purpose of labeling their stock. 



Studies made upon official samples agree with the results of 

 previous work, i. e., standards of " count for weight " of the different 

 agricultural seeds cannot be established and used with any degree 

 of accuracy since the number of seeds per unit weight of crop seed 

 varies widely. 



The present seed law affords only a partial protection to the pur- 

 chaser of seeds, since it does not require a reasonable freedom from 

 dodder or other noxious weed seeds, or from inert matter. 



Part II. — From correspondents, 975 seed samples were received 

 during the year, and a practical report covering the quality, noxious 

 weed-seed content, adulterants and general appearance of each 

 sample was given. These voluntary examinations revealed appar- 

 ently the same seed-trade conditions as did the seed examinations 

 of the previous year. 



Since the enactment of the present seed law numerous inquiries 

 have been received for purity tests in order that dealers may label 

 their seeds to comply with the provisions of the law. The Station 

 cannot undertake such commercial work; and under no circum- 

 stances will it assume the burden of the analytical seed work for the 

 seed trade. 



* Reprint of Bulletin No. 378, March; for Popular Edition see p. 915. 



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