17 



stations have not specified at all the species found in. the tests. In Table 4 

 {see pp. 34^37) a summary is given containing the percentages byweight of 

 " other crop seed " and weed seed found at the various stations together 

 with the quantity of seed examined. Some of the results agree very well, 

 but, in the case of several seed testing stations, considerable differences 

 «xist. One of the reasons for this is that species such as Bromus mollis, 

 Setaria sp. and Melilotus sp. are at some stations considered crop seed, 

 at others weed seeds. As an opportunity of discussing the question of 

 weed seeds will be given later, I will not enter into it now at greater length. 

 Another source of different results is that the quantity tested for 

 content of " other crop seed " and of weed seed has in many cases been 

 too- small. At the Copenhagen Station the average samples used for 

 this purpose, when maximum figures are guaranteed for contents of " other 

 crop seed " or weed seed, are ten times as large as those which are usually 

 examined for purity. 



In a few cases the discrepancies are due to the stations not having 

 separated, or only partly separated, certain seed species from the pure 

 seed. This is, for instance, true as to the content of Lolium sp. in the 

 sample of Festuca pratensis No. 73a {see p. 36). 



Besides the examinations of the samples of agricultural seed, a few 

 stations have made comparative tests of forest seed samples. As Table 3 

 shows (see p. 33), some results agree rather well, whereas others are 

 very different. As it is desirable to continue these examinations, I ask 

 those heads of seed testing stations interested in the matter to agree 

 to participate in new tests. 



With regard to garden seeds, comparative tests have been made at 

 the stations at Ziirich, Wageningen and Copenhagen. I have requested 

 Dr. Franck at Wageningen, to execute new comparative tests on garden 

 seeds at Stations which are interested in such examinations. 



In respect to agricultural seeds, I consider it advisable in the future 

 to omit some of the species tested in the earher enquiries and admit others. 

 I ask that proposals with regard to this be made during the discussion. 



Although there is good reason to say much more about this principle 

 work of the Association during the three years, I dare not tire my 

 colleagues, but must leave the matter for subsequent discussion at the 

 meeting, or, if it is preferred, later on between ourselves. I have welcomed 

 the arrangement by which we are accommodated at Colleges, because 

 I consider it a great advantage to live together in this nice, quiet 

 University town, rather than to be scattered, as would have been the case 

 in London. 



At the Conference in Copenhagen it was agreed that the European 

 Seed Testing Association should keep in view the possibility of a 

 union with North America. Correspondence with the leading seed testing 

 authorities in North America, where a similar referee work is carried out, 

 has therefore been active during the last three years. The heads of the 

 seed testing stations in America, with whom we have corresponded, have 

 shown great interest in the matter. I was invited to attend the annual 

 meeting of the North American Association of Official Seed Analysts held 

 on 27th December, 1923, in Cincinatti, to read a paper on our common 

 w^ork. I was unable to go myself, but I sent a report of the work of the 

 European Seed Testing Association to be read at the Conference. 



In connection with the comparative tests, I beg to draw attention 

 to the suggestions submitted by Professor Schribaux and Dr. von Degen 

 at the two former Seed Testing Conferences (see pp. 120-121 in the 

 Report of the Congress at Copenhagen in 1921). Comparative tests, 

 as suggested in paragraphs 1 to 5 of that Report, have been carried 

 out. Before tabulating the results, I asked the various stations whether 

 they objected to their names being published in connection with the 

 results received from them, but no one has objected to such publication. 



It has been impossible for me, on the basis of the results obtained, to 

 suggest anything with regard to international latitvdes for all the stations 

 which have participated in the work, as the results obtained are too 



