SEED INSPECTION 83 



comparative and not rated on a percentage basis. After the purity tests were 

 completed the samples were turned over to Professor Clark L. Thayer of t he- 

 Department of Floriculture, who conducted tests in the field to determine the 

 actual quality and to check the trueness-to-type. 



Field Tests 



Conditions during the past season were decidedly adverse for testing germina- 

 tion in the field. Many of the seeds were sown on June 25 after which came a 

 rainfall of 4. 59 inches during the next two days. The total precipitation for 

 the month was 8.45 inches compared with a normal of 3.54 inches. During 

 July the precipitation was 7.45 inches, the normal being 4.38 inches. In August 

 the total was 2.04 inches, 2.2 inches below the normal. For September the total 

 was 14.55 inches, whereas the normal for the month is only 3.79 inches. Thus 

 with a total rainfall of 32.49 inches during the four months when the plants 

 were making growth in the field it is not surprising that some kinds have not 

 given good results. The hurricane of September 21 with the accompanying rain 

 also caused much damage. 



Larkspur, Asters, and Tall Marigolds appear to have suffered more because of 

 the heavy rains, while Portulaca, usually considered to be partial to dry soils, 

 has given satisfactory results. 



When information is not given on Performance other than for Germination, it 

 is due to the unfavorable conditions brought on by the heavy rains. 



The first frost came on September 10 but it was so light that it did compara- 

 tively little damage. The most severe injury was caused by the frost of October 8. 



When the number of seeds permitted, rows fifteen feet long were sown. Germ- 

 ination was rated as "good" if the seeds germinated in approximatly two-thirds 

 the row; "fair" between one-third and two-thirds; "poor" for one-third or less. 

 Performance was designated as "satisfactory" if the varieties were true to name, 

 producing only a low percentage of plants which were not true to form or color, 

 (one-third or less); "Fair" between one-third and two-thirds not true; and 

 "unsatisfactory," if less than one-third was true to name or did not produce 

 satisfactory plants for providing sufficient data. 



As far as possible trueness-to-type was determined, but since many lots were 

 described as mixtures or did not carry varietal names, a wide range in color and 

 form was permissible. 



note: Data on precipitation and frosts were taken from the monthly bulletins 

 "Meteorological Observations", of the Massachusetts Agricultural Station. 



