The BuLLETiisr. 7 



CLEANING TOBACCO SEED. 



Last year this Division began a new line of work, that of cleaning 

 tobacco seed for farmers of the State. Most gratifying reports have 

 been received from persons for whom seed was cleaned, that as a result 

 of planting the cleaned seed their crops had brought higher prices, as 

 they had been greatly increased as to quality and yield. Following is 

 what one farmer says concerning his experience with the cleaned seed, 

 and it is about what the others say: 



"The tobacco seed I had cleaned by the Department of Agriculture last year 

 I gave to one hundred and twenty-five fai-niers. and find theiu all pleased with 

 the seed. I want to say that 1 find a great difference in the results where 

 seeds are cleaned. 



"First. I get stronger plants on beds, and have no small, inferior plants. 



"Second. The tobacco lives lietter, not having to replant, grows evenly, not 

 having any late, inferior tobacco to contend with. 



"Third. It matures uniformly, making the housing of the crop easier. 



"Fourth. I get a better grade of tobacco, heavier and more uniform. 



"Fifth. Better plants, regular growth, uniform maturity, heavier crops, and 

 better prices I find to be the result of cleaned seed, with which I am much 

 pleased. I am sending you to-day my seed for tliis year to be cleaned." 



The planting of only clean, vigorous seed of high vitality is of such 

 importance that it is hoped the tobacco farmers of the State will take 

 advantage of the opportunity which the Department offers to clean the 

 seed. This work can be done more efficiently by the Department than 

 by the farmers, as the Seed Laboratory has special apparatus for doing 

 this work. Several times the quantity of seed desired should be sent 

 to insure a sufficient quantity of cleaned seed. The seed should be sent 

 some time before it is wanted, as often, due to pressure of work, imme- 

 diate attention cannot be given to it, and all seed is given consideration 

 in the order in which it is received. 



The Department makes no charge for cleaning tobacco seed. 



SEED SAMPLES FOR TESTING. 



Satisfactory germination tests and examinations of seeds may be 

 made at home. Directions for doing this are given in the October 

 (1911) Bulletin of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, 

 which will be gladly sent to any person upon request. The same pub- 

 lication also contains illustrations and descriptions of the principal 

 agricultural seeds and noxious weed seeds which they are likely to con- 

 tain. A person may be able to identify the foreign seeds in a sample 

 by referring to these illustrations. This is often most helpful in facili- 

 tating the purchase of good seed, as an examination as well as a germi- 

 nation test at home will often save the time necessary to send a sample 

 to the Laboratory and receive a report. 



Of the smaller seeds, such as the grasses and clovers, about three or 

 four tablespoonfuls is a sufficient amount to send for testing. Of the 



