Sept., 1917] RESULTS OF SEED TESTS, 1917 17 



LABELING. 



The law does not apply to the common five and ten-cent 

 packages of garden and flower seeds. Only seeds sold in hulk 

 or in packages of one pound or more are subject to the provi- 

 sions of the law and are required to be accompanied by a guar- 

 antee 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 A3IOUNTS OF SAIVIPLES. 



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, rad- 

 ish, 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. 



TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS. 



Section 2 of the law states the provisions under which the 

 tests and analyses shall be made. ^ The Commissioner of Agri- 

 culture has appointed F. W. Taylor, A^gronomist of the Experi- 

 ment Station, as the regular agent for making all tests and 

 analyses in this state. The sellers or dealers who desire to base 

 their guarantees upon tests made by themselves or their agents 

 must first secure the approval of the Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture of the methods to be used in making the tests, and of the 

 person who is to conduct them. 



