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IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



ALFALFA SEED 



In buying alfalfa seed the highest priced seed is very often the cheap- 

 est. Most seed companies handle several grades varying much in quality, 

 purity and germination. Samples and prices may well be secured from 

 several seed companies before buying and the best selected for planting. 



How the value of seed varies according to the per cent germination 

 and foreign matter is shown in table XXI. 



TABLE XXI. 

 Alfalfa Seed Value as Influenced by Purity and Germination. 



There is a much greater loss in using seed of poor quality, than in the 

 price of the seed. This comes in the labor thrown away, the stands lost 

 and the yields sacrificed by its use, as well as the ultimate expense of 

 eradicating foul weeds which are introduced. The Iowa Agricultural Ex- 

 periment Station last July examined a sample of alfalfa seed sown by a 

 correspondent which contained, though its general appearance was very 

 good, 6 per cent of clover dodder. The correspondent states, "It seems 

 as though every alfalfa plant in the field has a dodder on it." The loss 

 from using this seed will probably total several hundred dollars. While 

 good seed may be secured from reputable dealers outside the state, there 

 is less danger of getting poor seed when purchased in Iowa, as this seed 

 is subject to a state pure seed law. 



High-grade seed. Smooth, plump 

 and uniformly olive green in 

 color. This is the kind of seed 

 to buy. 



Low-grade seed. While free 

 from weed impurities, the shrunk- 

 en, discolored brownish seed means 

 low vitality. 



