PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES IOQ 



and seeds of different specific gravity, then use sieves to separate seeds of 

 similar specific gravity, but of different sizes; then complete separation by hand. 



Adulteration: From the mixture of pure seed and adulterants count out 

 1,000 seeds indiscriminately, then separate adulterants from pure seeds, 

 recording number and weight of each. 



Weed seeds: Separate and identify foreign seeds other than adulterants; 

 where a kind constitutes less than 1 per cent, report by number, where more 

 than 1 per cent, report the percentage by weight. 

 Germination Test 



Sampling: Thoroughly mix the entire amount of pure seed obtained in 

 making the purity test and select 200 seeds of redtop, Kentucky blue grass, 

 timothy, meadow fescue, red clover, and alfalfa; 100 seeds of hairy vetch 

 and cowpeas for each of the duplicate tests. 



Placing seeds: Put seeds of redtop, Kentucky blue grass and timothy on top 

 of blotters made by folding twice lengthwise strips 6x19 inches cut from 

 blue blotting paper, 120 pounds to the ream and free from injurious chemicals. 

 The blotting paper should be used once only. Put other seeds between strips 

 8x32 inches of medium weight canton flannel folded twice lengthwise. The 

 flannel must be sterilized by boiling each time before using. 



Management test: Place seed in germinating chamber at 68 F. (20 C.) 

 for 18 hours and 86 F. (30 C.) for six hours. Keep paper or cloth well 

 moistened with potable water at the temperature approximately of the chamber. 



Counting sprouts: Remove sprouted seeds and record number every second 

 or third day (three times a week). In the case of legumes, count the remaining 

 hard seeds and add one-third to the number of viable seeds. 



Duration test: For grasses, 14 to 28 days; for legumes, 7 days. 

 Re-test 



If duplicate tests vary more than 10 per cent., re-test and also make a 

 supplementary test. 



Supplementary test: Place in a greenhouse flat sterilized sand free from 

 organic matter, sifted to a uniform size of approximately one millimeter. Place 

 redtop, Kentucky blue grass, and timothy on top the sand; plant other seeds 

 at a depth about equal to twice their greatest diameter. Place in room with 

 alternating temperature as previously indicated. Keep moist and shaded. 

 Count only sprouts which occur above ground. The supplementary test should 

 be accepted when it shows a higher germination than the chamber test. 



Report: Make a report of all data obtained; state the per cent, of viable 

 pure seeds found by multiplying the percentage of pure seeds by the percentage 

 of total germination of the pure seeds. 



116. COLLATERAL READING. F. G. Stebler and C. Schroter: The Best 

 Forage Plants, pp. 30-38. London: David Nutt, 1889. 



William Jasper Spillman: Farm Grasses of the United States, pp. 154-178. 

 New York: Orange Judd Co., 1905. 



Thomas Shaw: Grasses and Clovers, Field Roots, Forage and Fodder Plants, 

 pp. 14-17. Minneapolis: Northrup, Braslan, Goodwin Co., 1895. 



