244 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



germinable seed," and is obtained in each case from the figures of 

 "per cent, purity" and "per cent, total germination," by multiplying 

 the former by the latter figure and dividing by 100. In other words, 

 if 98 per cent, of a sample is pure seed and of this only 90 per cent, 

 germinates, then there is in the sample only 90 per cent, of 98 per 

 cent., or 88.2 per cent, of pure germinable seed. If our sample is 

 red clover seed costing fC.OO per bushel, we are paying for a bushel 

 of pure germinable seed -fGx 100-88. 2=40.80. It is clear, therefore, 

 that if the purity or germination runs low, the cost of the good seed 

 in the sample mounts very high. 



RED CLOVER. 



Thirty-three samples of Medium Red Clover were examined. Of 

 these, only three fell below (he standard of purity and five below 

 the standard of germination. In one case (No. 241), the purity was 

 high but the germination only 22.8 per cent. This was undoubtedly 

 old seed; the bright, fresh color of new seed was wanting. The ger- 

 mination test was repeated in soil in the greenhouse with but one 

 per cent, of germination after many days. The purchase of such 

 seed, therefore, at best would cost the farmer |22.12 per bushel of 

 good seed, and this according to the soil test would give, under 

 average conditions, exceedingly poor results. The market price is 

 no indication of the true value of the seed. The prices ranged from 

 $4.75 to IG.GO per bushel and the cost of the pure seed ranged from 

 15.28 to 122.12 (or |8.08, by dropping the one sample of undoubtedly 

 old seed), ^yhile we should bew^are of cheap seed, it is remarkable 

 that sample No. 2.38, with the lowest selling price (|4.75), is in fact 

 the cheapest in cost of good seed, $5.23. 



The impurities were usually w^eed seeds, consisting mainly of 

 Oreen F'oxtail Grass, Lady's Thumb, Ribgrass and Docks. The 

 Clover seed is remarkably free from mechanical impurities. 



