REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



29 



mation. As will be seen in the appended table the 613 samples of wheat tested have 

 varied much, from those perfect in germinating proportion to such as had ^entirely 

 lost the power of germinating. The 383 samples of barley have varied in vitality 

 from 100 to 22 per cent, and the 744 samples of oats tested from 100 to as low as 4 

 per cent. The average vitality of all the samples is a little below the average of 

 last year. 



The season of 1893 has in many sections been unfavourable for the perfect 

 development of grain, and in some districts very wet weather occurred preceding 

 and during harvest time, causing discolouration of the grain and in some instances 

 mouldiness and sprouting in the field. It is important that farmers residing in dis- 

 tricts where the conditions have been unfavourable should forward for test such 

 samples concerning which any doubts as to vitality and usefulnes«i for seed may 

 exist. Samples sent for testing should not weigh less than one ounce, they can be 

 sent to the Central Experimental Farm, at Ottawa, free through the mail, and in 

 order that the returns may all be made befoi-e the time of seeding arrives they 

 should be forwarded as early as practicable. 



Eesults of Tests for 1892-93. 



