16 



ago we went one step further by deducting the percentage of noxious impurity (weeds 



Gp X P 

 and suchlike) according to the formula: real- value = -V 3xNi. Consequently 



f X\}\) 



at 98 "/o Purity, 86 "/o Germinating power and 2 7o Noxious impurity the value is: 



98 x 8fi 

 — — — —3x2 = 78.28 or rounded off 78 "/o. According to the Usual calculation 



it would amount to 84.28, rounded off 84 %. However, when comparing the two methods 

 (English and Continental), we have to use the more ancient calculation of real-value, as 

 it is in use in mosj; countries. The methods for determining the germinating power having 

 changed in the course of time, the desirability of comparing the two procedures becomes 

 more and more striking. The results mentioned in Appendix A have been obtained from 

 various samples. Each sample was examined twice: 1'' according to the British Method 

 and 2°* according to the "Wageningen or Continental Method. To secure a correct com- 

 parison the conditions of germination were made equal in either case; the fundamental 

 difference between the two determinations (each carried out in quadruple), really consisted 

 in proceeding respectively from an Irish purity-test and a Continentdl test one. The figures 

 stated in Appendix A have been all calculated without a deduction for noxious impurity. 

 It was to^be expected that the higher "purity" according to the Irish method would be 

 compensated by a lower germinating power, as numerous other comparisons have pointed 

 in the same direction; but we had not foreseen that the said compensation would be so 

 complete, of course provided' the conditions for germination were equal. The comparative 

 examination of the first series (55 cases) showed a difference of less than 5 % in a little 

 more than 78 % of the cases, and consequently remained within the usual allowance of 

 6 %• In 774 % of the total amount of cases (4 cases) the difference was exactly 5 % 

 and in 14 '/a "/o more "than 5 "/o- The important deviations however occurred chiefly in case 

 the final figure was such that on mathematical grounds a greater deviation could be 

 expected. I must further observe that striking differences in the health-conditions of the 

 ^■erming seeds did not appear. In either case the fungosity was but slight one; indeed 

 in our institute it generally did not surpass moderate boiinds. In the course of time it ■ 

 has constantly decreased, exception being made for a few kinds of seed. 



Before drawing a conclusion from the various data, I will once more briefly state 

 the principal matter. We all have in view a procedure, that will obviate, if possible, the 

 divergences of results between the leading stations. This end can never be attained unless 

 we succeed in finding a fixed standard of value adopted by the several countries and by 

 trade and agriculture. It is impossible to express by one figure either the sale-value or 

 the agricultural-value; but it is highly desirable in behalf of a sound trade between foreign 

 countries, that the trader should have at his disposal an international standard for the 

 J valuation of some qualities which cannot be easily or promptly detected, and are yet of 

 very great importance. In this respect the. purity of the seed is of no use, as in its 

 determination we are checked by unsurmountable impediments ; the same is true of 

 germinating power, as that is deduced from material obtained while determining the 

 purity, and varying accordingly. That's why I will lay no particular stress upon these 

 two qualities, but I prefer to try and find an expedient. As a first conclusion') I observe 

 that it is highly desirable that we should choose as value-measure something like real- 

 value, i. e. a real-value obtained by a determination of the germinating power of what in 

 England, according to the Irish method, is called pure seed. If — in the calculation — 

 the threefold percentage of the amount of "noxious impurity" (seed of weeds &c., vide: 

 Appendix B) be deducted as already being done in Holland for a number of years and in 

 accordance with the requirements of Trade and Agriculture, we shall obtain a value- 

 measure, including three value-factors (Germinating power. Purity and Amount of weeds) 

 and one that is founded on a purity-test, speedy, simple and practical in method and con- 



') Conol. 4. 



