N. H. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 207 



ment of Agriculture at Concord, or the State Seed Lab- 

 oratory at Durham. 



Results of tests that fall within the variations 

 allowed are indicated as "satisfactory" and those that 

 are better than the guarantee are indicated as "above." 



In addition to the above tests on official samples, 

 more seeds were received for testing from individuals 

 and dealers than usual. This work is done free of 

 charge for farmers and dealers within certain limita- 

 tions as outlined in the "Rules and Regulations." This 

 service may be used by farmers to make sure that 

 home-grown seed is desirable and by farmers and 

 others who wish to sell seed in compliance with the 

 law. PVom such sources 244 samples of seed were 

 received and tested this year. Unfortunately, a few 

 were received which failed to supply either the name 

 or the address of the sender. This caused delay or 

 disappointment as these samples were tested and the 

 results necessarily held in anticipation of an inquiry 

 from the sender. 



The purchase of new equipment and contemplated 

 reorganization of the seed testing laboratory work 

 with the backing of the new State Seed Law, above 

 mentioned, should enable us to give quicker service and 

 to materially strengthen this type of inspection in the 

 coming year. There are many misconceptions about 

 the seed testing work, however, that are not confined 

 to those who have never thought about the matter, 

 but may include others who have even experimented 

 to the extent of testing corn and beans. 



Some seeds not only require peculiar methods and 

 apparatus but consume extremely long periods of time 

 for proper investigation. Unfortunately, this state- 

 ment is particularly applicable to the smaller grass 

 seeds which are so vital to successful agriculture in 

 New Hampshire. These grasses often require special 

 light germinators and alternating temperatures run- 



