Mr. Hunter's Paper. 149 



consequence, the germinating capability of the sample 

 must be comparatively low. The lightest samples may 

 be composed entirely of undeveloped seeds and chaff, 

 having a possible germinating capability of not more 

 than 5 per cent. It must follow that the use of such 

 low class seeds can only result in failure, disappointment, 

 and serious loss. 



The number of seeds in one pound weight has an 

 important bearing on the choice of seeds for a grass 

 mixture, as, owing to the great difference in the size of 

 the seeds of the different species, it is impossible with- 

 out this knowledge to allot the due proportion of each 

 species in the mixture. The table on page 151 shows 

 that while 1 lb. of one species may contain over 

 3,000,000 seeds, 1 lb. of another species may have not 

 more than 75,000. 



In the fifth column of figures in the table is given 

 the average price of seeds of the finest quality for the 

 ten years 1898 to' 1907. This average is somewhat 

 higher than the average for the ten preceding years, 

 when a cycle of cheap years prevailed. As variations 

 occur every year it is, of course, necessary to ascertain 

 the prices of seeds at the time they are required. 



To produce a good seed mixture at the least cost, the 

 sixth column of figures in the table should be studied. 

 This column shows that the average cost of 1,000,000 

 germinating seeds of Timothy grass is 4^d., while 

 1,000,000 germinating seeds of Tall Oat grass is 8s., 

 although the average price per lb. of these seeds is 

 respectively 5id. and Is. It is obvious, therefore, that 

 the price per lb. of the seed does not convey a clear idea 

 of its real cost, but that the cost per million germinating 

 seeds does. The natural deduction from a study of the 

 cost per million seeds is, that taking all the circirm- 

 stances of soil, situation, and climate, the duration of 

 the pasture and the requirements of the farmer, into 

 consideration, the freest use of the .cheapest seeds 

 suitable to the requirements, should be made. It should 



