Sept., 191G] RESULTS OF SEED TESTS, 1916. 1 o 



SUMMARY. 



From the tables ou the preceding pages it will be noted that 

 69 of the 84 samples collected were guaranteed for purity and 

 56 for germination. In other words, 82% of the seed repre- 

 sented by the samples was sold according to the law as regards 

 purity and 66.6% as regards germination. These percentages 

 are lower than last 3'ear ^^'hen they stood at 85 and- 82 respect- 

 ively. 



Of the total 69 samples which Avere guaranteed for purity, 

 65 of them, or 94%, were found to be up to or above the guar- 

 antee. 



Of the 56 samples which were guaranteed for germination, 

 42 of them, or 75%, were found up to or above the guarantee. 



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

 and timothy were on the average above the standard per cent, 

 of purity; while alsike clover, millet and redtop were below 

 the standard per cent.' As regards germination the average 

 per cent, was up to standard for all kinds of seed except millet. 

 The same was true last year and indicates that a considerable 

 quantity of old millet seed is carried over from year to year. 



One very dirty lot of redtop and one badly-mixed sample of 

 white clover were found on the market this year. On the 

 whole, however, the quality of seeds which are being offered 

 to our farmers is improving, and the value of good seed is 

 being appreciated more and more every year. 



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 

 be inspected. When the seeds are in bags or large bins, the 

 use of a grain sampler is most convenient, since this will insure 

 getting seeds from the top, middle, and bottom alike. Since 



