30 Dec, 1910.] Seed Tests. 777 



much longer voyage gave 81 per cent, germination. It is evident, there- 

 fore, that too much value should not be attached to these limited compari- 

 sons. A point of considerable importance is in regard to the number of 

 samples which contained the spores of injurious or parasitic fungi. This 

 applies to samples 13 and 14 (Cocksfoot), 15 (Carrot), 30, 31 and 32 

 (Rye Grass), 37 (Lucerne), 43 (Lotus), 44 (Paspalum), 47 (Canary Seed), 

 which all contained fungus spores, and, with the exception of sample 43, 

 would be unfit to use for planting on that account. It is of great im- 

 portance that seed should be free from the spores of parasitic fungi, since, 

 'Otherwise, the farmer is bound to suffer loss and may have his crop en- 

 tirely ruined. 



Seed for planting should never be harvested from crops showing any 

 sign of disease. This is one of the most important methods in prevent- 

 ing the spread of disease in cultivated plants. 



Notes on Samples Tested. 



I. Acacia mollissinia (Black Wattle). — This sample contained 97 per 

 ^cent. of hard seeds and required repeated soakings in boiling water to 

 make them swell in water. The germination was very slow and after 

 three applications of boiling water, the power of germination was lost 

 altogether. None of the seeds which swelled without treatment ger- 

 minated. 



2 and 3. Allium Cepa (Onion). — Probably old seed. Sent in by a 

 seedsman to whom they had been supplied as good sound seed. 



4. Allium Cepa (Onion). — Clean sample of seed, free from weeds 

 but percentage of germination too low. 



5. Br as sic a alba (Mustard). — Contained a few seeds of Charlock 

 {Brassica Sinapistrum), otherwise quite clear of weeds. About 2 per 

 ■cent, of the seeds were imperfectly developed and they varied in size from 



1.5 to 2.5 mm. in diameter. 



6. Brassica oleracea (Kale). — Sample was free of weed seeds, but 

 manv of .seeds w^ere withered and the diameter varied from 1.5 to 2.5 

 mm. 



7. Brassica rapa (Rape). — Fairly good sample, with exception of pre- 

 sence of .some imperfectly ripened and damaged seeds. 



8. Brassica rapa (Rape). — Good. 



9. Cannabis sativa (Hemp). — Poor sample; seeds varied in size from 

 .2 to 4 mm., and had low percentage of germination. 



10. Cannabis sativa (Hemp). — Sample free of weeds, but contained 

 2.7 per cent, (by weight), of foreign matter. 



II. Carum Carvi (Caraway). — This sample was probably intended 

 'for culinary use and not for germinable seed. 



12. Coriandrum sativum (Coriander). — Very slow in germinating; 

 probablv, like preceding sample, intended as food article. Weeds pre- 

 sent included some doubtful species of L^mbellifers. 



13. Dactvlis glomerata (Cocksfoot). — Sample free of weed seeds, but 

 otherwise poor and bad seed for planting on account of spores of Bunt 

 pre.sent in it. 



14. Dactvlis glomerata (Cocksfoot). — Percentage of germination very 

 little better than preceding sample. There w^ere very few weed seeds 

 -present, mainly Dock (Rumex) and one Composite (sp. ?). 



15. Dane us Carota (Carrot). — Although sample was free of weeds it 

 contained a quantity of other foreign material, and the spores of Blight 



«and Pin Mould were unusually plentiful. 



