official inspections 46. 5 



Vitality of Seeds. 



It is much easier for the farmer to test the vitality of seed 

 than to make a purity examination. The following simple 

 instructions for performing germination tests at home without 

 any special apparatus will enable the farmer to learn for him- 

 self whether the seed that he is using has good vitality or not. 

 Germination tests may be made in two ways, — the so-called 

 blotting paper methods, and the sand method. In making the 

 germination test with blotting paper, blue blotting paper of 

 common weight, cut into strips about 6 x 19 inches, should be 

 used. This is laid folded twice so as to get a piece of three 

 thicknesses and about six inches square, on an ordinary dinner 

 plate or platter. The seeds if small are placed on the top of the 

 paper and if large between the folds. The paper is kept moist 

 (not soaked) and at a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees F. 



If only a vitality test is desired the blotting paper method is 

 preferable, but if it is desired to know how many seeds may be- 

 expected to grow, the sand method is in some ways preferable. 

 In this method a thin layer of fine sand is sprinkled on the 

 bottom of a flat dish and the seeds to be tested placed on it 

 under a thin covering of sand. This must be kept moist and 

 well shaded and at a somewhat higher temperature than in the 

 first case. 



At the end of every second day in the case of some seeds, and 

 the third day in the case of those germinating more Slowly, the 

 sprouted seeds should be removed from the blotters or the sand 

 and counted, the per cent being readily found by referring back 

 to the number of seeds which were taken for the test. If 100 

 seeds are used, the number that sprout give the vitality per cent. 



The Results of Inspection. 



The inspection of grass seed sold in Maine in 1912 was 

 made almost entirely by the seed analyst whose experience 

 makes it possible for him to tell almost at a glance whether a 

 seed is or is not what it is guaranteed. In all suspicious cases 

 in which he was in doubt samples were taken. It therefore hap- 

 pens that most of the samples, the analyses of which are here 

 reported, are the doubtful ones that were found within the State 

 and represent a selection made from very many hundred lots. 



