SEED CONTROL. 69 



of their real worth is sufficient evidence that something needs 

 to be done for the improvement of agricnltare along this 

 line. 



Since so much of our grass seed comes from Europe let us 

 turn in that direction for information. The following samples 

 were tested last year at the Zurich Seed Control Station and 

 include grasses from various parts of Europe. One sample of tall 

 meadow oat grass contained 31.9 per cent of chaff. Of Italian 

 rye grass one sample contained 85 per cent awnless seeds, a sure 

 sign of intentional admixture with English rye grass. One 

 sample of crested dog's tail consisted of 46.3 per. cent English 

 rye grass, 46.5 per cent chaff and dead grains, and only 7.2 per 

 cent pure seeds ; another sample contained 78.7 per cent of chaff 

 and dead fruits. A sample of meadow foxtail contained 81.8 per 

 cent chaff and larva-infested grains, while another one showed 

 but 1 per cent germination. 



One sample of tall meadow fescue showed germinating per 

 cent. Seeds of this grass are usually mixed with those of the 

 common meadow fescue, but no particular injury is done, since 

 both grasses grow in the same soil. The latter, however, is a 

 less expensive seed. 



Other fescues showed a remarkably low germination : sheep's 

 fescue and various leaved fescue in one instance did not put forth 

 a single sprout. Eed fescue germinated in one case but 6 per 

 cent. This grass is said to occur pure in the trade but seldom, 

 being largely mixed Avith sheep's fescue and various-leaved 

 fescue. 



June grass shoAved the low purity of 28.5 per cent ; gerjnination 

 28 per cent. This grass is frequently adulterated with Poa 

 comjjvessa, Avhich in Europe is considered inferior; in fact, one 

 eminent authority classes it as a Avorthless weed. In America, 

 however, it has some value, but flourishes on a different soil 

 from June grass. Two samples labelled June grass contained 

 60 and 70 per cent Poa comjjressa. 



Velvet grass was found in one instance to contain 96.5 per cent 

 impurity, and one sample germinated but 17 per cent. Seed 

 labelled sweet vernal in some cases proved to be almost entirely 

 tlie anniial variety, a very inferior, if not Avorthless grass. This 

 adulteration is exceedingly common, and almost impossible to 

 detect. 



