SEED INSPECTION 



By F. A. McLaughlin i 



MASSACHUSETTS VEGETABLE SEED STANDARDS FOR 1940 



Section 261 D of the Seed Law requires that a set of standards for germination 

 of vegetable seeds be determined each year by the Director of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural Experiment Station and approved by the Commissioner of Agri- 

 culture. The following set of standards for 1940 has been so determined and 

 approved: 



KIND OF SEED 



Artichoke 60 Kohl Rabi . . 75 



Asparagus (including hard seed) ... 70 Leek 60 



Beans Lettuce 80 



Limas 70 Melons 



Other Beans 80 Muskmelon 75 



Beets 65 Watermelon 70 



Broccoli 75 Mustard 75 



Brussels Sprouts 70 Okra 50 



Cabbage 75 Onions 70 



Carrot 55 Parsley 60 



Cauliflower 75 Parsnip 60 



Celeriac 55 Peas 80 



Celery 55 Peppers 55 



Chard, Swiss 65 Pumpkin 75 



Chicory 65 Radish 75 



Citron 65 Rhubarb 60 



Collards 80 Rutabaga 75 



Corn, Sweet 75 Salsify 75 



Cress, Upland 40 Sorrel 60 



Cress, Water 25 Spinach 



Cucumber 80 Common 60 



Dandelion 45 New Zealand 40 



Egg Plant 60 Squash 75 



Endive 70 Tomato 75 



Fetticus (Corn Salad) 70 Tomato, Husk 50 



Kale 75 Turnip 80 



The above set of standards corresponds with that adopted by the United States 

 Department of Agriculture for administration of the Federal Seed Act. Changes 

 which have been made in the Massachusetts Standard for 1940 include: 



Artichoke, Upland Cress, Fetticus, Mustard, Rhubarb, Sorrel, New Zealand 

 Spinach, and Husk Tomato have been added to the 1939 list; and Curled Cress, 

 Dill, Sage, Summer Savory, Sweet Basil, Sweet Fennel, Sweet Marjoram, and 

 Thyme have been omitted. 



Germination Standards are raised from 65 to 70% for Asparagus; from 75 to 

 80% for Collards; and from 70 to 75% for Salsify. 



Germination Standards are lowered from 80 to 70% for Small-seeded Limas; 

 from 40 to 25% for Water Cress; from 55 to 45% for Dandelion; from 80 to 75% 

 for Muskmelon; from 75 to 70% for Onions; from 60 to 55% for Peppers; from 

 80 to 75% for Radish; and from 80 to 75% for Tomato. 



In the enforcement of the law, no tolerances will be allowed below the minimum 

 standards adopted. 



'Assisted by Miss Jessie L. Anderson, Technical Assistant. 



