SEED INSPECTION 



53 



(8) The methods and rules of testing in this laboratory will be in practically- 

 all cases those rules recommended and followed by the Association of Official 

 Seed Analysts of North America. In order to prevent wide variations due to 

 use of different methods of testing, it is advised that seedsmen and others doing 

 their own testing employ the rules and methods followed by the State Seed 

 Testing Laboratory. A copy of Ruhs for Seed Testing, Circular No. 406, may 

 be obtained upon request from the United States Department of Agriculture. 



REPORT OF FIELD TESTS OF CLOVER AND ALFALFA SEEDS OFFI- 

 CIALLY COLLECTED IN 1928 



Acting in co-operation with the Department of Agronomy of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College, field tests have been made upon a number of samples of 

 clover and alfalfa in order to determine if they were of true name and variety. 

 Dr. M. H. Cubbon makes the following report: 



These seeds were planted in rod rows June 4, 1928, and the plants made very 

 good growth during the season. All plants came through the winter of 1928-29 in 

 good condition. Prior to the first cutting in 1929, examination of the various 

 groups of plants indicated them to be of the following types: 



The findings thus indicate that the seeds were properly labelled as to type 

 or variety, with three exceptions. These three are the sweet clover No. 233-92, 

 and alfalfa samples Nos. 226-85 and 236-95, which should have been labeled as 

 Biennial White Sweet Clover and as Variegated Alfalfas, respectively. 



REPORT OF TYPE AND VARIETY STUDIES OF ONIONS 



The seed laboratory has co-operated with Professor Snyder of the Department 

 of Vegetable Gardening in an extensive project having to do with types and varie- 

 ties of onions best suited to Massachusetts climatic conditions. That part of 

 the project of especial interest to the Control Service comprised the determination 

 of seed germination in the field as compared with laboratory tests, and trueness 

 to type and variety. 



Owing to excessive dry weather and thrips injury, it was impossible to obtain 

 accurate records, and the project will be continued during the season of 1930. 

 The laboratory tests made in connection with this work follow. 



