18 



variable for this purpose. If it were possible to select the results from 

 certain stations, there would probably be no difficulty in proposing 

 suitable latitudes. 



It was also desired that suggestions for common rules for seed testing, based 

 on the various existing rules, should be submitted to this Conference. It 

 has, however, been impossible for me to work these out on account of the 

 present conditions. I consider it desirable that a Committee be appointed, 

 consisting of the heads of the most important seed testing stations, to 

 draw up a suggested scale of international latitudes and eventually of 

 common rules of analysis. The proposals should be circulated to 

 members of the Association for their observations, final decisions being 

 made at the next international seed testing conference. 



Dodder Committee. 



At the Congress in Copenhagen it was emphasised that it would be of 

 significance, in connection with the stipulation of a dodder latitude, if 

 those areas within which dodder ripens and is able to do damage could 

 be definitely fixed. The matter was referred to a Committee consisting 

 of five members from those European countries where dodder is 

 prevalent. For several reasons, particulars of which Dr. von Degen will 

 give to-morrow, the work of this Committee is not yet accomplished. 



(Correspondence with, and Visits to, Foreign Seed Testing Stations. 



The work of the Committee has occasioned an extensive correspondence 

 which has resiolted in our getting into touch with numerous colleagues, 

 some outside Europe, many of whom proposed subjects for discussion 

 at the Congress. Several of these subjects will be discussed in the course 

 of the following days, but, as the time is strictly limited, it has been 

 necessary to omit some of them. 



I have made a few journeys in order to discuss the work of the Associa- 

 tion with several colleagues. This forms an important link in the work of 

 the Association as it contributes to the understanding of the significance 

 of co-operation. In Copenhagen, in 1921, it was proposed that principals 

 and assistants at the various stations should have the opportunity of seeing 

 and participating in the work for short periods at the large, weU-equipped 

 seed testing stations. Preliminary steps have been taken in that direction. 

 Two assistants and later on the head of the English Official Seed Testing 

 Station, National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge, paid a 

 visit of several days to the Danish State Seed Testing Station. 

 Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish visitors have also been to the Copen- 

 hagen Station in order to familiarise themselves with our methods and 

 short visits have been paid by heads of seed testing stations all over 

 the world. Two of our lady assistants, who have carried out useful work 

 at the Danish State Seed Testing Station during periods of eighteen and 

 thirteen years respeolively, were selected two years ago to take charge 

 one of the purity and the other of the germination laboratories when the 

 present elderly assistants resign their positions. After having studied 

 systematic botany, plant physiology, heredity and microbiology, the two 

 assistants passed an examination in these subjects at the Royal Danish 

 Agricultural High School, They have further shown that they are able 

 to use the German and English languages in connection with seed testing. 

 They must, moreover, have read the most important literature on seed 

 testing in these languages. These two assistants, Miss Lassen and Miss 

 Suell, have now commenced a journey to some of the principal European 

 seed testing stations and are at present working here, at Cambridge. 

 I hope they will get the opportunity of making themselves f amiUar with 

 the work in the purity and germination laboratories of the various 

 stations. In my opinion the best way to attain uniform results is to 

 be personally acquainted with the seed testing methods. This is more 

 valuable than getting the information merely from printed rules, where 

 details, which often seem unessential but are, nevertheless, of the greatest 

 significance to the work, cannot be described. If it is so desired, these 



