Jg N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 166 



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 

 the report of the analysis is based upon the nature of the 

 sample inspected, it is important that the sample be carefully 

 taken. 



SIZE AND AMOUNTS OF SAMPLES 



The size and amount of the samples necessary for a test will 

 depend upon the size and weight of the seeds. About one half 

 ounce, or a tablespoonful of the smaller grass and vegetable 

 seeds, like alsike and white clover, redtop, lettuce, onions, 

 radish, turnip, etc. ; about one ounce or two tablespoonfuls 

 of the larger seeds, like timothy, millet, red clover, alfalfa, 

 rape, etc. ; and about four ounces or a small cupful of the cereal 

 grains or vegetable seeds, like oats, barley, corn, peas, beans, 

 etc., should be sent. 



