72 FARM GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 
tion, but, so far as we have been able to learn, there 
are no laws requiring English or Continental seedsmen 
to guarantee their wares. The work of the seed- 
control stations, however, has created such a public 
sentiment in favor of pure seed that the best class of 
dealers submit samples of their seeds to be tested by 
the stations, which furnish, for a stipulated price, a 
guarantee of the vitality and purity of the seed from 
which the samples were taken.”’ 
Several of the State agricultural experiment sta- 
tions have given more or less attention to seed testing, 
but in most cases the facilities for doing the work are 
limited and the total amount done is small. In 1894 
seed testing was begun by the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, at Washington, D. C., and has 
been continued by the Seed Laboratory since that 
time. Samples of seed sent to this laboratory for test 
will be examined for mechanical purity and tested for 
germination free of charge for purchasers of seed, pro- 
vided samples are accompanied by a statement giving 
the name and address of the firm from which the seed 
was purchased, and the price paid. While the farmer 
is able to judge the general quality of a sample of tim- 
othy by a careful examination, he is not able to detect 
adulterations of the less common grasses or estimate 
the per cent. of the seed which will grow. 
HOME TESTING 
Many of the more common grass-seeds, such as 
timothy, orchard-grass, and millet, can be tested for 
germination at home. The simple home-tester shown 
in Fig. 15 can be made and used by any one. 
