Annual Report - 9 - 



flower seeds, many agriculture and grass mixtures and a few tree 

 and shrub seeds. 



In addition, the laboratory tested 969 service and research 

 samples for a total test of 2012 samples. 



Of the 675 official seed samples, the seed laboratory found 

 78 or 12^ to contain one or more violations and issued correspond- 

 ing violation notices. 



This office took immediate action on any serious violation 

 (low germination - unfit for seeding, etc.) by issuing Stop Sale 

 Orders. 



In addition, 89 Stop Sale Orders were issued on 393 lots of 

 seed found by inspectors at point of sale. This included mostly 

 out of date tests but also included follow-ups on any serious seed 

 laboratory report violations. 



As a continuing policy the Department held fifteen (15) 

 official hearings before its legal staff for seed concerns who 

 were previously warned but continued selling old and out-dated 

 stock, poor germination or unfit for seeding stock. 



This is just one more important consumer protection service 

 with which the Division is charged and which it finds increasingly 

 difficult to handle because of a shortage of funds and personnel. 



A continuing program has been the inspection of certain state 

 approved apple farm stands and cider mills. This is an attempt to 

 raise the standards of fruit and cider to insure the consumer a 

 better product and also to maintain consumer protection regarding 

 health and sanitary conditions. 



A new and major regulatory service was taken over from the 

 University of Massachusetts in December. The registration and sale 



