108 PRACTICAL FORESTRY 
This is often impossible, and then one must do what 
is next best—purchase the seed from a reliable seed- 
dealer. All seeds bought of dealers should be care- 
fully tested before sowing, because no seed-dealer, 
for various reasons, will guarantee his seeds. Let 
me quote from the catalogue of one of our most 
reliable seed-dealers: “‘ Non-Warranty of Seeds.— 
We exercise the utmost care and vigilance in testing 
all seed sold by us, but owing to uncontrollable in- 
fluences and accidents (such as bad weather, improper 
soil, insects, ete.), the best seeds will sometimes fail. 
We have, therefore, in common with all other large 
seed firms in the United States—members of the 
American Seed Trade Association—adopted the fol- 
lowing disclaimer: ‘ While we exercise the greatest 
care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we do not 
give any warranty, expressed or implied. If the pur- 
chaser does not accept the seeds on these terms and 
conditions, they must be returned at once, and the 
money that has been paid for the same will be re- 
funded.’ ” 
Beware of too clean seed. Seed which is abso- 
lutely clean should be regarded with suspicion, be- 
cause, in cleaning the husk from the seed, wounds 
result which permit the entrance of injurious fungi. 
Buy a small quantity or sample of the seed first, 
then test it. 
