EXERCISE 41 

 A STUDY OF ALFALFA SEED 



Object. To study the purity and worth of alfalfa seed. 



Explanation. Alfalfa is more likely to be adulterated 

 with other material than the seed of cereals. Very often 

 samples of alfalfa contain seed of obnoxious weeds, im- 

 mature alfalfa seed, and trash. Such samples are of an 

 inferior quality, and the man who procures alfalfa seed 

 should guard against such impurities. To insure good re- 

 sults in seeding alfalfa, it is essential that the seed be free 

 from other seeds and foreign matter and that its vitality 

 be reasonably strong. 



Equipment. 1. A one-pound sample of alfalfa seed. 



2. A balance weighing to one tenth of one gram. 



3. A pair of forceps. 



4. A hand lens. 



Directions. Weigh out two grams of alfalfa seed from 

 the sample and make a detailed study of it. Use the out- 

 line form "A Study of Alfalfa Seed" to record the results 

 of the examination. Record the sample, name, and source 

 of the seed at the top of the vertical column for classification. 



Spread the sample out on a blank piece of paper and make 

 a study of it for purity. Separate the sample into the follow- 

 ing groups : sound alfalfa seed ; broken and immature 

 alfalfa seed ; seed of clover and grasses ; weed seeds ; foreign 



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