REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



SESSlOr AL PAPER No. 16 



TESTS OF THE VITALITY OF SEED GRAIN AND OTHER SEEDS. 



The following report includes tests of grain and other seeds grown on the several 

 Experimental Farms, as well as those bought with the object of growing them on the 

 Farms. The list also includes tests of the vitality of a number of specimens of grain 

 grown in the several provinces of the Dominion, from the samples distributed from 

 the Central Experimental Farm. These tests have been made with the object of ascer- 

 taining what climatic conditions are most favourable for producing seed of high 

 vitality, and how far this desirable quality is likely to be influenced by variations in 

 character of season. Formerly, these tests included a number of doubtful samples 

 which were believed, by the parties sending them, to have been injured in their vitality 

 by exposure to unfavourable conditions. All such samples are now referred to the 

 Seed Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, for report. The results 

 reported on here are the average proportions of vitality shown by samples of grain 

 grown in different parts of the several provinces of Canada, under healthy and normal 

 circumstances. In the following table, showing the results by provinces, the total 

 percentage of vitality is given, also the percentage of strong kernels and of those of 

 weak growth. 



Results of Tests of Seeds for Vitality, 1910-11. 



1G— 3 



