16 N. H. EXPEBiMENT STATION [Bulletin 174 



It will be noted from the three pages just preceding that 71 

 of the 91 samples collected were guaranteed for purity and 61 

 for germination. In other words, about 80 per cent, of the seed 

 represented by the samples was sold according to the law as 

 regards purity and about 67 per cent, as regards germination. 

 This is a decided improvement over last year when only about 

 50 per cent, of the seed represented by the samples inspected 

 was guaranteed as to either purity or germination. 



Of the total 71 samples which were guaranteed for purity, 

 58 of them or 82 per cent, were found to be up to the guarantee. 

 The remaining 13 samples were from .1 per cent, to 6.8 per cent, 

 below the guarantee. Of the 61 samples guaranteed for germi- 

 nation, 26 or 43 per cent, were found to be up to or above the 

 guarantee. The remaining 35 samples ranged from 1 to 70 per 

 cent, below the guarantee. 



As regards the purity of the seeds tested this year, the alfalfa, 

 alsike clover and timothy were on the average above the 

 standard per cent., while the barley, oats, millet, red clover and 

 redtop were on the average slightly below the standard per 

 cent. 



As regards the per cent, of germination of this year's samples 

 the alfalfa, alsike clover, barley, corn, red clover and timothy 

 were on the average above the standard, while millet, oats and 

 redtop were on the average below the standard. 



One sample of oats sent in by a farmer was found to germi- 

 nate only 3.5 per cent. This was a heavy-weight, light-colored, 

 clipped oats which had been weathered and afterwards sul- 

 phured. This is only another example of the danger of using 

 ordinary feeding oats for seed purposes without first making 

 a germination test. 



Only one very dirty or foul sample of seed was analyzed. 

 This was one of redtop which contained 37.4 per cent, of dirt 

 and chaff. 



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. 



