OFFICIAL INSPECTION IJ. 167 



because the published results of the analysis of a seed which 

 they did not purchase because of its poor quality as disclosed 

 by the analysis, were used against them by competitors. For 

 this and other reasons it was decided not to make further free 

 examination of unguaranteed seeds. 



The Station, however, examines at cost samples of unguaran- 

 teed seeds, submitted to it by dealers, of which they wish to 

 know the quality. The results of these analyses are not pub- 

 lished and are considered as a private matter between the dealer 

 and the Station. The charge for the examination of large seeds 

 such as timothy, clover, etc., is 50c per sample. The charge 

 for the examination of a fine seed like redtop is $i.oo for a 

 reasonably clean sample. The report of the examination gives 

 in addition to the percentages of purity, the character of the 

 foreign matters and of the foreign seeds. There are no require- 

 ments as to the way in which the samples for paid analyses are 

 drawn and it is optional with the dealer submitting the sample 

 whether he does or does not give information as to the source 

 of the sample. 



The Maine Jobber And The Seed Trade. 



At present it is impossible for the Maine dealer, wholesale or 

 retail, to obtain guaranteed seeds from outside of the State. 

 The retail dealer can purchase guaranteed seed from Maine 

 wholesale houses, and the Station advises him so to do. The 

 wholesale dealer must look to the outside. Two years ago the 

 Director of the Station assumed a certain responsibility as to 

 the statement of analysis given by two or three of the leading 

 seed houses of the country. It however does not seem wise 

 for him to continue this practice. Therefore any guaranties 

 which a Maine dealer places upon seeds based upon out-of- 

 state firms statements as to their purity is entirely at the risk 

 of the Maine dealer. After consulting with some of the larger 

 houses within the State the following suggestions were made 

 to importing houses by the Director of the Station. 



"I suggest that when a car of seed goes forward to you that 

 you request your shipper to send you a type sample of the car 

 stating the name of the shipper, the kind of seed and its special 

 brand if any, the analysis which they place upon it if any, 



