September, 1913] results of seed tests, 1913. 13 



It will be noted from the table just preceding that only 

 thirty-eight of the seventy-three samples collected were guar- 

 anteed for purity and only thirty-four for germination, or in 

 other words, only about fifty per cent, of the seed represented 

 by the samples was being sold according to the law. Since it 

 is impossible to determine by test whether seed corn or seed 

 oats are true to name, a statement of the percentage of purity 

 of these two seeds is relatively unimportant. The percentage 

 of germination of both of them, however, is very important. 

 Only five of the twenty-two samples of seed corn and only 

 one of the nine samples of seed oats were guaranteed as to 

 germination, while none of the corn and only one sample of 

 oats were guaranteed as to purity. Of the forty-two samples 

 of grass seeds all but five or 88 per cent, were guaranteed as 

 to purity, and all but fourteen or 66 per cent, were guaranteed 

 as to germination. 



Of the total thirty-eight samples which were guaranteed 

 for purity thirty-two or 84 per cent, were found to be up to 

 the guarantee, the remaining six falling from .2 per cent, to 

 3 per cent, below. Of the thirty-four samples guaranteed for 

 germination, only sixteen or 47 per cent, were found to be 

 up to the guarantee, the remaining eighteen falling from .5 

 per cent, to 13.5 per cent, below. 



The average per cent, of purity and vitality of the seeds 

 tested this year as compared with those tested last year shows 

 a better degree of purity and a higher germination for this 

 year's seeds. "With the exception of millet, all the grass seeds 

 showed a better test than last year. Field corn was much 

 better, and although one sample of oats germinated only 2.5 

 per cent., the average was higher than in 1912. No samples 

 of very dirty or foul seed were inspected- 



