CHAPTER VI 

 TESTING PASTURE SEEDS AT HOME 



Preliminary Considerations 



Introductory. — While absolute accuracy can only be ensured by costly 

 apparatus, the purity and germinating power of seeds may be simply and 

 inexpensively ascertained at home sufficiently exactly for the results to con- 

 stitute a valuable check on the guarantees given by seed-merchants ; and, 

 undoubtedly, if every sample were tested before purchase by the farmer himself, 

 the risk of failure from inferior seed would be practically eliminated. 



Useless Methods. — The method of testing usually employed is to sow a 

 handful of seeds, and judge the worth of the sample by the thickness with 

 which the seedlings come up : but it is hardly necessary to say that no system, 

 which does not involve actual counting, can be even moderately accurate. 

 Again, a very general impression obtains that if seeds be thrown into water, 

 the good grains sink, while the light and dead ones float on the surface ; but 

 experiment conclusively proves that the floating seeds germinate slightly better 

 as a rule than do the remainder. 



Taking Samples. — The taking of samples is of the utmost importance if 

 fair results are to be obtained ; and the only safe method in the case of pasture 

 seeds is to spread out each bulk ; mix it thoroughly, and take numerous small 

 samples with a clover-sampler. These in turn are mixed in a wide-mouthed 

 flask, from which the seed is then poured slowly, small quantities being taken 

 from the stream at regular intervals with a spoon. The seed so obtained is 

 known as the " smaller average sample," and is what is employed in the tests 

 unless the presence of Dodder be detected, when the whole of the larger 

 sample should be subjected to examination. 



Testing for Purity 



Volume of Test Sample. — An egg-cupful of seed makes a convenient 

 " smaller average sample" for home-testing. 



Genuineness of Seeds. — The genuineness or purity of a sample is 

 usually ascertained directly by an examination, with a magnifying-glass if 

 necessary, of the external appearance of the seeds comprising it, though that 

 of the varieties of any species can only be determined by trial in the field or 

 greenhouse. 



