4 CONTROL SERIES No. 72 



of the poor showing is the practice among retailers of offering for sale seed which 

 has been in their possession for one or more years. Seeds of certain varieties may 

 retain satisfactory viability for several years if properly stored, but other kinds 

 lose a large part of their viability in one year. Where old seed is noted in the tables, 

 we believe the wholesaler should be for the most part absolved from blame. 



Explanation of Tables 



In these tables the seeds are listed in alphabetical order by groups, each group 

 containing only those seeds, the sale of which is regulated by a definite section of 

 the Massachusetts Seed Law. Section 261-A of the Acts and Resolves of 1927, 

 Chapter 274, defines the group from Alfalfa to Vetch, inclusive; Section 261-B, 

 Mixtures; Section 261-C, Special Mixtures; and Section 261-D, Vegetables. 



The number preceding each analysis is for identification and reference. The line 

 to the right of the letter "L" gives information copied from the label; that to the 

 right of "F" what was found in the laboratory analysis. Attention is called to 

 certain irregularities by the following: 



The asterisk (*) shows violation in labeling. 



Boldface type indicates low purity, low germination, excessive weed seed, 

 or excessive inert material, depending upon the column in which it is found. 



Other deficiencies are enumerated as follows: 



(1) Noxious weeds found. 



(2) Old seed. 



(3) Ingredient found in excess of 5%, but not declared. 



(4) Ingredient declared, but not found. 



(5) Does not appear to be Chewings Fescue as labeled. 



(6) Bluegrass and White Clover declared, but not found. 



The letter "R" after the germination percentage in the table of vegetable 

 seeds indicates that one or more retests were made. 



All lots of seed included in this report were tested according to the Rules for 

 Seed Testing adopted by the Association of Official Seed Anulj'sts. 



"Tolerance" is applied to both purity and germination, except in those tables 

 which list seeds falling under sections of the law not requiring purity or germination 

 on the label. For the application of " Purity Tolerance, " the sample is considered 

 as made up of two component parts: (1) the component being considered, and (2) 

 the balance of the sample. The tolerance in percentage allowed for each component 

 shall be two-tenths of one per cent (0.2%) plus twenty per cent (20%) of the lesser 

 of the two parts. "Germination Tolerance" has been ajjplied between a given 

 germination and the result of the germination test as follows : 



Given Germination (%) Allowable Variation (%) 



90 or over 6 



80 or over, but less than 90 7 



70 or over, but less than 80 8 



60 or over, but less than 70 9 



Less than 60 10 



