354 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 260 



The work accomplished during the two years that the law has been in 

 operation indicates that, on account of the general good quality of seed 

 offered, the laboratory can consistently devote less time to seed inspec- 

 tion and rather more time to research problems pertaining to seed. 



Summary of Samples Analyzed. 1929 



Non-Official Official Total 



Purity analysis only 27 55 82 



Germination test only 228 181 409 



Both purity and germination test required 131 249 380 



Totals 386 485 871 



In cooperation with the Department of Vegetable Gardening, 93 samples 

 of onion seed were examined; and 31 samples of alfalfa and clover seed 

 were submitted to the Department of Agronomy for field tests in order 

 to determine trueness to type. 



Dairy Law. (P. H. Smith, J. T. Howard, H. L. Allen). The work 

 under this law involves: 



1. The testing of Babcock glassware for accuracy. 



2. The examination and award of certificates of proficiency in the use 

 of the Babcock test. 



3. The annual inspection of creameries, milk depots, and board of 

 health laboratories where the test is used as a basis for fixing the 

 value of milk and cream. 



4. An amendment to the Dairy Law enacted at the 1929 session of the 

 General Court authorizes the adoption of Rules and Regulations in 

 order to promote uniformity and accuracy in testing. These rules 

 and regulations have been published and distributed to operators. 

 This amendment also makes possible investigation in order to de- 

 termine if these rules and regulations are followed. 



During the year ending December 1, 1929, 8515 pieces of Babcock glass^ 

 ware were tested. Condemned bottles amounted to less than one per 

 cent of the total tested. Eighty-nine certificates of proficiency were 

 awarded. One hundred and fifty-three creameries, milk depots and milk 

 inspectors' laboratories were visited in order to check methods and pass 

 upon equipment in use. As a result of this inspection, major repairs were 

 ordered on 12 machines, minor repairs on 30, and 2 machines were con- 

 demned outright. Sealed glassware was ordered at four places, and 

 cream scales at the same number. 



Advanced Registry Testing. (P. H. Smith). At the present time the 

 work of Advanced Registry Testing is cared for by the services of one 

 clerk and seven supervisors. The volume of work does not change materi- 

 ally from year to year. In November, 1929, there were on test 568 cows, 

 located on 78 different farms. Many of the pure bred cattle clubs are 

 now giving recognition to Herd Tests in addition to the testing as it has 

 been practiced in the past where individual animals of expected high 

 production were selected for record Avork. The Herd Test is an incentive 

 to breeders to maintain a high average production in their herds, with 

 the consequent weeding out of inferior animals- 

 Miscellaneous work. (P. H. Smith, H. R. DeRose, J. W. Kuzmeski, J. B. 



