248 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



MAMMOTH RED CLOVER. 



There were eighteen samjdes of Mammoth Red Clover sent for 

 tests. They were, in general, fully up to the required standards in 

 purity and germination. In a few samples the impurities consisted 

 of dead seeds, broken stems and other dirt in quantities too great 

 to be acceptable at the prices charged. The weed seed impurities 

 were much the same as in the Medium Red Clover. Two samples 

 were absolutely clean of all impurities, and yet the prices of them 

 were only the average market price of good seed, that is, |5.75 and 

 |6.00 respectively. In several instances the dull color of the seed 

 was noticeable, indicating old seed, and the germination of such sam- 

 ples sustained the diagnosis in each case. The range of prices of 

 Mammoth Clover was not so great as of the Medium Red, as no 

 samples of suspiciously cheap seeds were submitted. In conse- 

 quence of this, the cheapest samples of the table below were the 

 cheapest seeds to buy in point of good seeds. 



White Clover. Though uncalled for, two samples of White Clover 

 were received and the results of their tests are given. In one case 

 the purity and germination both drop below the standards required, 

 and though the selling price was one dollar cheaper than the other 

 sample, the cost of pure germinable seed was seventy-three cents pet 

 bushel greater. 



Alfalfa. Two samples of alfalfa were also received and submitted 

 to tests. Their color was not as bright as fresh seed usually bears 

 and their germination was much below the required per cent. Al- 

 falfa is but little used in Pennsylvania and the seed is likely to be 

 held over by unscrupulous dealers. 



