150 Mr. Hunter's Paper. 



not be forgotten that the price of a seed is not arrived 

 at because of its value to the sower. Its market value 

 depends on the cost of its production, and the demand 

 for it in relation to the supply. It follows, therefore, 

 that a seed that is easily produced is cheap, and one 

 that is not is dear ; also, a small-seeded species, having 

 many seeds to the pound, is cheap, while a large-seeded 

 kind must be dear. 



When seeds have been harvested under unfavourable . 

 conditions, or when there is a partial failure of crop of 

 any species, the standard of germination for that species 

 may be somewhat lower, and the price of the seed 

 higher, so that due allowance must be made for such 

 causes when they arise. It should also be borne in mind 

 that the figures in the Table apply only to seeds of the 

 highest standard of quality. Seeds of lower quality 

 have a lower germination, are lighter in weight per 

 bushel, have a greater number of seeds in 1 lb. weight, 

 and, although cheaper by the lb., the cost per million 

 germinating seeds is usually greater than that of the 

 best seeds. 



The illustrations of seeds used for laying down land 

 to grass {vide plates facing page 152) will enable any 

 one, who is willing to give some attention to the subject, 

 to judge of the genuineness and purity of a sample 

 of grass seed. These illustrations have been carefully 

 prepared from micro-photographs of the different species. 

 It must be evident, even to one who is not an expert, that 

 any seed or other matter contained in any sample under 

 examination which differs in shape, appearance, or 

 character from the true seed, must be an impurity, and 

 in order to ascertain the amount of pure seed and of the 

 impurities, a separation of a given quantity should be 

 made and the result noted. 



