16 N - H - experiment station [Bulletin 177 



From the tables on the three pages just preceding it will 

 be noted that 68 of the 80 samples collected were guaranteed 

 for purity and 66 for germination. In other words, 85% of 

 the seed represented by the samples was sold according to the 

 law as regards purity and 82.5% as regards germination. 

 These percentages are higher than last year when they stood 

 at 80 and 67%, respectively. 



Of the total 68 samples which were guaranteed for purity, 

 52 of them or 77% were up to the guarantee. The remaining 

 16 samples ranged from .1% to 12.8% below the guarantee. 



Of the 66 samples guaranteed for germination, 37 or 56% 

 tested up to or above the guarantee. The remaining 29 sam- 

 ples tested from .5% to 59% below the guarantee. 



Among the seeds tested this year, alfalfa, alsike clover, oats, 

 red clover, and timothy, were on the average above the stand- 

 ard per cent, of purity, while barley, the millets, redtop, and 

 white clover were on the average below the standard per cent. 



As regards the percent, of germination of this year's seeds 

 all of them, with two exceptions, were, on the average, up to or 

 above the standard per cent. The millets averaged just a lit- 

 tle below the standard on account of the low test of several 

 samples of old seed which were collected, while the average 

 of the redtop was materially lowered by one sample of home- 

 grown seed which tested only 15%. 



There was found on the market this year one lot of white 

 clover seed which was about 15% below r the standard of purity 

 and which contained at least sixteen different kinds of w r eed 

 and other grass seeds. 



LABELING. 



The law does not apply to the common five and ten-cent 

 packages of garden and flower seeds. Only seeds sold in bulk 

 or in packages of one pound or more are subject to the pro- 

 visions of the law and are required to be accompanied by a 

 guarantee stating their percentage of purity and vitality. 



The guarantee or label may be of any form desired by the 

 seller of the seeds, as a tag, sticker, or direct brand upon the 

 container. It must, however, be plainly written or printed, 

 and placed distinctly visible to the purchaser. Each dealer 

 will provide his own labels. 



TAKING OF SAMPLES. 



To secure a fair average sample of a lot or bulk, take small 

 quantities from all of the bags or from different parts of any 

 particular bulk. Mix thoroughly and take out the sample to 



