145 



Total ... 100 



(1) Size and Plumpness. — Some strains are smaller-seeded 

 than others, while some are plumper. As in all seeds, how- 

 ever, the plumper and the larger within the variety the better. 

 Immature seed is often very flat and shrunken. 



(2) Brightness , Lustre or Polish. — This is the chief super- 

 ficial means we have of distinguishing age and vigour in lucerne 

 seed, and as it loses its vitality fairly rapidly after a few years, 

 especially if poorly stored, it is important that the colour be 

 bright. A dull appearance is easily detected, and invariably 

 indicates age, severe weathering, or bad storage. The seed 

 should have a high polish, be bright yellow in colour, and have 

 an oily appearance. 



(3) Purity. — The presence and kind of weed seeds must 

 be ascertained. In lucerne, this is of paramount importance, 

 as weeds establish themselves before the crop has made much 

 headway, on account of it having a relatively small growth 

 during the first few^ months. Weeds are more objectionable 

 in lucerne than in most crops, because the crop usually occu- 

 pies the ground from five to seven years; consequently, inter- 

 crop tillage can very seldom be resorted to. Moreover, weeds 

 can be destroyed in the growing crop only with difficulty, and 

 the value of the hay is much depreciated by their presence. 

 Dodder (Cnssuta spp.) is the worst weed, and the only im- 

 purity for which special laws have been provided to protect the 

 South African grower. The seeds are somewhat smaller than 

 lucerne seed, roundish in shape, and light to dark brown in 

 colour. Weed seeds in lucerne are prevalent largely because 

 some of the seeds of the worst weeds are about the same size 

 and weight as lucerne seed, and consequently are hard to 

 separate by winnowing or screening. 



Adulterants, particularly in European seed, are common, 

 and are often difficult to distinguish. Seeds of Black Medick 

 (M. lupulina) and Sweet Clover {Melilotus alba and leucantha) 

 are those most commonly found. 



Sticks, stones, and dirt, naturally increase the price 

 actually paid for seed. 



