59^ Journal of Agricidiiirc. [lo Sept., 1910.. 



Conclusion. 



There are other insects, viz., the Larder Beetle {Dermesics), Flour 

 Beetles {Triboliiun), Meal Worms {Tenebrio), Meal and Dried Fruits 

 Moths and Beetles {Plodia, Asofia {Pyralis), Epliesiia, CarpofJiilus), 

 Grain Beetles {Tetichrioides, Canandra), Pea and Bean Weevils 

 {Bnuhi(s), Rice Weevils (Calandria) and many others ; but as they do com- 

 paratively little harm in the ordinary households in this country, I have 

 not considered them worthy of special reference. Specimens of these are 

 exhibited at the office of the Government Entomologist, where further par- 

 ticulars mav be obtained. 



TESTING LUCERNE SEED. 



Report on Samples submitted by the Lands Purchase Board. 



1(1 1 



Alfred J. Ezvart, D.Sc, Ph.D., F.L.S., Govcrnuicnt Botanist and 



Professor of Boianv in the Melbourne University ; and Bertha Rees, 



Ciovernriient Research Scholar. 



The samples have been tested for germination power, purity, presence 

 of weed seeds, and of the spores of parasitic fungi. They vary consider- 

 ablv, many being below the proper standard. Lucerne seed should not 

 contain more than 10 per cent, of hard st-eds and the remainder should 

 give a germination of 96 to 98 per cent. Samples i, 2, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 

 18, 19, 2\, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30. 31, 7^2, 34, all fell much below 

 the standard. The Australian-grown seed, in particular, contained an 

 unduly high percentage of hard seeds, possibly as a result of the drier 

 climate under which the .seeds ripen. 



As regards weed seeds, the samples were fairly good. Samples i, 7. 

 9, 12, contained more than 2 per cent, of weed seeds. The following 

 samples contain weed seeds prohibited entry into the Commonwealth, 

 viz., Nos. I. 4. 5. 6, 7. 9. 10, IT, 12, 15. 16. 18, 19, 24, 26, 

 27, 28, 29, 33. 34. but for the most part in extremely small amount. 

 As regards weeds, the worst sample was No. 12, with no less than 6 per 

 cent., including Dodder. This was French Provence seed. The purest 

 samples were Nos. 20, 21. 22, 21^. 25, 30, 31, 32, which were all practi- 

 callv free of weed seeds and were all Australian-grown. 



The si)ores of parasitic fungi were present upon samples 19, 21. 22, 

 23, 34, all of which were Australian-grown, with the exception of No. 34. 

 in which the country of origin is not given. To plant such seed, how- 

 ever pure it may appear externally, is to invite disaster. The following 

 can be regarded as the best samples which could be recommended for 

 purchase with safety, viz., Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 25, 

 27, T^T,. Some of the samples are rejected on account of the percentage 

 germination being much below standard, since the same price is usually 

 charged for such samples, and they are apt to give rise to many weakly 

 piants. The prices placed on the seeds do not appear to correspond to 

 their value to the purchaser; thus, samples 20, 21, and 22 are all from 

 the same firm and are priced at is. 8d., is. 9d.. is. lod. per lb. re- 

 .spectively. The cheapest sample is one of the best examined. Neither 

 of the two dearer ones could be recommended for purchase on account of 

 the presence of funcjus spores and the low percentage germination. 



