1.7 



veniently applied anywhere, and leading to practically comparable results. Before pro- 

 ceeding, let us consider the name to be given to our value-measure, always of course 

 bearing its conventional character in mind. In my opinion the name "use-value" will not 

 do. Firstly because it is founded upon a special and more accurate method of purity-test ; 

 secondly because it is founded upon the erroneous assumption that it really indicates the 

 agricultural value of the seed, the "real" value, the ''valeur culturale", which is by no 

 means the case, as it does not imply at any rate a guarantee for genuiness of the variety 

 nor for any other qualities which are not to be detectable by the eye and which are often 

 much more important for agriculture, than some percentage of Germinating power more 

 or less. On the other hand, it comprises some combined qualities which — apart from 

 what is said above — are of great significance, aiid, are particularly appreciated by trade 

 in that they permit an off-rhand examination. 



Let us reject the name use-value for our standardizing and choose a simple name, 

 universally applicable and comprehensible — a factor of a conventional character that does 

 not imply agricultural conceptions which don't lend themselves to being examined then 

 and there. If I may presume for a minute that the present conference is in sympathy with 

 my line of thought, I beg to propose as a name for our value-standard a word that rather 

 void of meaning in itself but one which once launched into technical use. Let us simply 

 call it: "grade"') (gradus, , grade, grade, Grad, Grado, &c.), a word quite intelligible 

 throughout the whole world. Taking this for granted, in the future transactions in all 

 kinds of seed, without any .exception, are liable to a guarantee of "grade". However 

 additional guarantees shall not be entirely excluded, for a trader may often require them. 

 One example, will be sufficient; a merchant seeing that he keeps a stock of grass-seed, 

 the : grade of which he thinks too low, should like to know whether the low grade is 

 owing to: " 



an abnormally high percentage of "empty seeds" or to 

 „ „ „ „ "grass-seeds" 



that do not agree with the name of the seed. In the former case he will be able to 

 improve the quality by means of winnowing, centrifuging, &c., whereas he cannot do so 

 in the latter. 



' What he now wants is a special "Continental" determination of the purity, or one 

 that gives a direct answer to the question: "What is the percentage of empty seeds?" 

 Gentlemen, allow me for one minute to suppose that you agree with my proposal. 

 It is evident that an international grade can only acquire practical significance^), if the 

 reports are marked as "international reports", and if in this special case strict uniformity 

 is watched by the several stations concerned. The wording of such reports must be as 

 simple as possible; Appendix C offers a suggestion for a specimen. The text of, same 

 should be given not only in the language of the country but also in two other European 

 languages. 



Let us now give a ' summary of the conclusions reached, before deducing further 

 consequences: 

 Concl. 1. In designating the establishments, which are to join the proposed unification, 



only those institutes shall be deemed admittable, of which the equipment and organization 



are able to satisfy the highest demands, so as. to secure the efficiency of the unified 



methods, adopted by the Congress. 

 Concl. 2. Each of the countries, attending the present Congress, is invited to shape at 



least one proper station in the "International Service". 



In case of denial, it must be well understood, that the congressional decisions 



relating the unification of methods, will not be applicable to the failing party'). 



') Concl, 6. ») ConcL 6. ^ It is highly desirable that a closer and more continuous connection 

 between the international stations or the leading stations should be aimed at. This result might be 

 obtained by forming an association or society. Of course, I' must abstain from entering into details 

 just now, as such are premature. Yet the subject would desel've ample consideration by this Congress'. 



