6 CONTROL SERIES No. 47 



In future bulletins it is the intention to publish the analyses of all official samples 

 collected. 



Seed Testing of Unofficial Samples 



It is the privilege of any person residing or doing business in the Commonwealth 

 of Massachusetts to submit to the Commissioner of Agriculture or his deputy, 

 samples of seed for test and analysis on the basis of a specified fee for the character 

 of service given. All fees exacted for the making of tests and analyses are paid 

 into the treasury of the Commonwealth. The seed testing laboratory operates 

 under certain rules and regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Agriculture 

 and such rules must be strictly observed by the seedsmen or farmer in requesting 

 service. These Rules and Regulations foUow: 



(1) The kinds of seeds that will be tested are those specified in the Massachu- 

 setts seed law, and in addition, flower seeds may be tested for germination. 



(2) Samples to be tested should be drawn in such a way as to be representative 

 of the bulk lot of seed from which they are taken. Directions for sampling are 

 those given in United States Department of Agriculture Circular 406, RULES 

 FOR SEED TESTING, page 2. 



2. Method of Taking the Sample 



The sample must be taken in such a way that it represents as accu- 

 rately as possible the bulk lot being sampled. To this end it is impor- 

 tant that equal quantities be taken from each container sampled, and 

 from each place in a container, in a given lot of seed. 



(a) Bags, closed or open, should be sampled — 



(1) With a trier or bag sampler long enough to reach the center of the 

 bag; in small lots, approximately equal quantities should be taken from 

 near the top, the middle, and the bottom of each bag; but when more 

 than five bags are sampled, it should be sufficient to take from one 

 place in each bag sampled (See 4) ; or 



(2) With a long trier or probe which should extend the length of the 

 bag. 



(b) Bulk seeds in bins, cars, or other containers are to be sampled with 

 a long trier or probe extended through the bulk in several places. 



(c) In the case of packet seeds, take entire packets. 



3. Alternative Methods 



When better means are not available, open bags of cereals or other 

 large seeds, or seeds in small bins or other packages may be sampled 

 by hand, taking approximately equal quantities from different places 

 including the top and opposite sides as near the bottom as practicable. 

 Any portion of seed which has been opened and exposed for sale should 

 be considered as liable to contamination and should be sampled with 

 special care. 



4. Number of Bags to be Sampled 



In lots of five bags or less, each bag should be sampled. In larger lots, 

 sample every fifth bag, but never less than five bags. Whenever there 

 is evidence of lack of uniformity in a lot of seed, each bag should be 

 sampled separately. 



The samples from each bag may be kept separate or they may be com- 

 bined in composite samples as circumstances require. 



5. Dividing the Sample 



The total quantity of seed drawn may be in excess of that required 

 for a sample. It is very important that the seeds should be thoroughly 

 mixed before taking the sample that is to be sent for analysis; if possible 

 a mechanical divider should be used to obtain the desired quantity. 



(3) Only samples which are of sufficient size for taking a representative test- 

 sample will be analyzed or tested. 



