IX. SEED TESTING 



Seed Inspection 



It is very useful to the farmer and gardener to know how 

 to test seeds in order to find out which are best for planting. 

 In this way the purchase of poor seed can be avoided. 



When buying for planting, one does not wish any other 

 kinds of plants growing in the crop. " Tares among the 

 wheat " are proverbial, and mixtures of different varieties 

 of the same plant often render a crop unfit for market. 



In grain elevators, mills, and malting houses great care 

 is taken to remove all foreign substances. 



67. PURITY 



Object. To determine the purity of a given sample 

 of seed. 



Method. Examine the seeds in bulk, taking note of the 

 presence of foreign matters, such as dirt, chaff, leaves, chips, 

 and other kinds of seeds. 



Measure out equal bulks of each sample under inspection 

 and sift them with a sieve having a smaller mesh than the 

 size of the seed. Dirt, dust, and much of the other impuri- 

 ties will be removed in this way. Now spread the seeds 

 evenly over the bottom of a shallow tray or plate. 



Compare the different samples. Which has most dirt? 

 Which shows the greatest amount of other impurities? 

 Which is best for planting? 



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