HOW TO PROCURE GOOD SEEDS. 211 



How to Procure Seeds that are Good and True to Name. 



It has been shown that there are many difficulties in the way 

 of making improvements in the seeding of land to grass. Our 

 farmers usually buy two or three common sorts offered in the 

 market. In England the seedsmen have largely prescribed the 

 kinds to be used for meadows and pastures, and they are natu- 

 rally inclined to recommend what is to them most prof. table and 

 easily obtained. Where land is to remain in grass for some 

 years it is very important to make the right selection of seeds. 

 The leading seedsmen keep experts, as they call themselves, for 

 the purpose of giving information on this subject. 



They take contracts at special rates for laying down a certain 

 number of acres to grass. 



The Royal Agricultural Society employs a consulting botanist 

 to examine samples of seeds offered in the market. He has fees 

 for performing certain work. To report on the purity, amount 

 .and nature of foreign materials, perfectness, and germinating 

 power of a sample of seeds the fee is five shillings. The council 

 have established a standard for the examination of seeds. 



1. That the bulk be true to the species ordered. 



2. That it contain not more than five per cent, of seeds other 

 than the species ordered. 



3. That the germinating power shall be, for cereals, green 

 -crops, clovers and Timothy not less than 90 per cent. ; for fox- 

 tail not less than 20 per cent. ; and for other grasses not less 

 than 70 per cent. 



Seedsmen in England and Germany will now guarantee seeds 

 in accordance with this standard. 



In England, in 1869, after enacting a law against "doctor- 

 ing " seeds, they nearly or quite disappeared from the market. 

 The consulting botanist had only seen two samples in five years. 

 Killed and dyed seeds are gone, but dead seeds may still be 

 found. 



