4.8 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



With the view of obviating one of the jnst causes for complaint 

 as to the quality and vitality of the seeds distributed by the Depart- 

 ment, a system for the testing and examination of all seeds before 

 payment is made for them has been adopted. A test of the germi- 

 nating qualities of the seed is made in what is known as the " De- 

 partment seed-tester," and under the most favorable circumstances 

 in the propagating-houses in the Department grounds. By means of 

 this double test, errors are avoided, and no seedsman or grovrer of 

 seeds has yet questioned the conclusions arrived at by those having 

 this matter in charge. The testing aj^paratus consists of a heavy 

 block- tin pan, 17 inches in length, 12 in width, and 2f in depth. 

 This is painted inside and out. Inside of the top of the pan are 

 grooves, in which a thick pane of glass is placed for a cover when 

 needed. Along the inside of the sides there is a ledge or projection 

 half an inch in width, 2 inches from the bottom, upon which the ends 

 of the brass rods, llf inches in length, rest. Fifty of these are suf- 

 ficient. The rods are required to support the V-shaped pockets, which 

 extend across the pan, and are made as follows: Take two strips of 

 muslin, each 10^ by 2^ inches. On one edge of each make a hem j-g 

 of an inch in width. Stitch the two pieces together 1-^ inches from 

 the unhemmed edge, and pass the rods through the hems. Cover 

 the bottom of the pan with tepid water to the depth of half an inch, 

 or enough so that the lower edge of the muslin is immersed, and the 

 cloth is kept moist by capillary attraction. The seeds to be tested 

 are accurately counted and placed within the muslin trough and 

 moistened, and the exact time noted. The pan is then covered and 

 placed in a position affording the requisite warmth. From time to 

 time the process of germination is observed, and when a sufficient 

 period has elapsed the germinated seeds are counted and the rela- 

 tive number of sound and unsound ones determined. The average 

 germination of all seeds accepted was 93 per cent. When the per- 

 centage in those varieties which are somewhat difficult to germi- 

 nate approximates 75 to 85 per cent, the seed is .regarded as being of 

 sufficient value to warrant its purchase and distribution. In the tests 

 of flower seeds the percentage usually ranges from 75 to 80 per cent. 

 During the past year a considerable quantity of seed has been re- 

 turned to the growers because of its lack of freshness and vitality. 

 Without the proper appliances for testing the seed several thousand 

 dollars' worth of seed might have been put up and distributed by the 

 Department, which would have been justly blamed therefor. 



THE SEED DIVISION LIBRARY. 



The library now includes a complete list of the Reports of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture, and an index to them, up to the present 

 time. Also, the latest reports of the secretaries of the various State 

 boards of agriculture, as well as those of the experiment stations in 

 the States and Territories. 



IMPROVED METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION. 



The efficiency of the work in the Seed Division has been materially 

 increased by clearly defining the duties of my assistants and exact- 

 ing strict attention to the details of the work to be accomplished. 

 As A result, the large and varied assortment of seeds which had been 

 put up and labeled and made ready for the beginning of the special 

 and general distribution early in December last, and the various seeds 



