now TO PROCURE GOOD SEKDS. 211 



How to Procure Seeds that are (ilood and True to Name. 



— It IniH but'ii shown that thcro arc many dinictiltioa in the way 

 of making improvements in the seeding of hnid to grass. Our 

 farmers usually buy two or three common sorts olTercd in the 

 riuirket. in Kngland tiie seedsmen have largely prescribed the 

 kinds to be used for meadows and pastures, and they are natu- 

 rally inclined to recommend what is to them mt)st jjrotitable and 

 easily obtainc<l. Where laiul is to rcnuun in grass fur some 

 years it is very important t»» make tlie right selection of seeds. 

 The leading seedsmen keep experts, as they call themselves, for 

 the purpose of giving information on this subject. 



They take contracts at special rates for laying down a certain 

 number of acres to grass. 



The Royal Agricultural Society employs a consulting l)otanist 

 to examine samples of seeds ofTered in the nnirket. lie has fees 

 for i)erforming certain work. To report on the ])uvity, amount 

 and nature of foreign materials, perfect ness, and germinating 

 power of a sample of seeds the fee is live shillings. The council 

 have established a standard for the examination of seeds. 



1. That the bulk be true to the species ordered. 



2. That it contain not more than five per cent, of seeds other 

 than the species ordered. 



3. That the germinating jjower shall be, for cereals, green 

 croi)s, clovers and Timothy not less than 90 })er cent. ; for fox- 

 tail not less than *^0 per cent. ; and for other grasses not less 

 than TO per cent. 



Seedsmen in England and Germany will now guarantee seeds 

 in accordance with this standard. 



In England, in 18G9, after enaciting a law against "doctor- 

 ing " seeds, they nearly or quite disappeared from the market. 

 The consulting botanist had only seen two samples in five years. 

 Killed and dyed seeds are gone, but dead seeds may still be 

 found. 



