PRACTICAL ADVICE ON SEED-TESTING 



143 



They are oval, with the soar notch near the smaller 

 end with a prominent projection beside it. A light 

 stripe on each side usually extends from the scar 

 toward the broader end of the seed. These seeds 



Fig. 218. Timothy. 



Fig. 219. Orchard-grass. 



are faintly greenish yellow, becoming reddish brown 

 in age. 



Red clover seed (Pig. 212) is distinguished by 

 its lighter yellow or violet colors, its triangular 

 form, broad scar notch and the absence of a pro- 

 jection at the scar. Alfalfa seed (Fig. 215) is dis- 

 tinguished by its more angular, oblong or kidney 

 form, only the latter having a projection beside the 

 nearly central scar. The contrast in form is even 

 more pronounced in alsike and crimson clover 

 seeds. (Pigs. 213, 214.) 



Bur -CLOVER {Medicago Arabiea, aa ; Medicago 

 denticulata, b). Fig. 217. These kinds are used as 

 an adulterant of alfalfa seed. Medicago AraMm 

 seeds are mostly kidney-shaped, the soar being 

 nearer one end than in alfalfa, a distinct projec- 

 tion beside it. Fresh seeds are light yellow. The 

 large seeds are larger than alfalfa seeds and are 

 readily distinguished from them, the smaller being 

 distinguished only with difficulty. Medicago dentic- 

 ulata seeds are mostly larger than alfalfa seeds, 

 oblong -kidney -shaped, the scar notch prominent 

 near the center and the projection slight or want- 

 ing. Most of these seeds are distinguishable from 

 the others. They are commonly darker than the 

 seeds of Medicago Arabiea. 



Timothy (Phkum pratense). Fig. 218. This seed 

 has a characteristic appearance and is readily reo- 



Fig. 220. Meadow fescue. 



Fig. 221. Red-top. 



ognized. It is not subject to adulteration, but is 

 often an impurity of alsike seed, sometimes of red 

 clover seed. The seed may either bear the hull (a a) 

 or be free from it (b b). The presence of the hull 

 gives .fresh, well-cured seed a bright, silvery white 

 appearance. The dull, oval seeds free from the hull 

 are darker. 



Orchard - grass (Dactylis glomerata). Pig. 219. 

 This seed appears mostly in the hull. In this form 

 it is straw-colored or darker. Individual seeds are 

 triangular in section, being sharply angled along 

 the back, tapering toward the ends, the apex awn- 

 pointed. Viewed from the angled back or front 

 they are curved to one side (a). The surface may 

 be smooth or somewhat hairy, the back hairy 

 toward the apex. The raohilla segment is slender, 

 terete and slightly curved. Seeds rest on the front 

 face (a) or oblique sides (b b) on a level surface. 



Meadow fescue {Festuca elatior). Pig. 220. This 

 seed in the hull is dark straw-colored or light 

 brown. Individual seeds are somewhat boat-shaped, 

 tapering to the ends, often frayed at the thin, 

 papery apex. The inner face (a) is flattened and 

 concave, the back rounded, not angled ; seeds rest- 

 ing on the front or back on a level surface. The 

 raohilla segment is slender, terete, straight, dis- 

 tinctly expanded at the apex, important in distin- 

 gpiishing this seed. 



Red-top {Agrostis alia). Pig. 221. Seeds minute, 

 mostly in the hull (a a), or in the "chaffy" grades 

 largely surrounded by the outer chaff (b). In the 



Fig. 222. 

 Kentucky blue-grass. 



Fig. 223. 

 Canada blue-grass. 



"fancy" grade the seed, practically all in the inner 

 hull, is very light gray ; individual seeds spindle- 

 shaped, slightly angled on the back, the edges of the 

 hull separated on the inner face, exposing the grain. 

 "Chaffy" seeds, covered by the outer hull, are 

 longer, lance-shaped and bear a part of the flower 

 stemlet. Such seed is darker colored and much 

 lighter in weight than the "fancy." "Extra" or 

 "fancy cleaned " seed consists largely of this outer 

 chaff devoid of seed. 



Kentucky bdue-grass (Poa pratensis). Pig. 222. 

 Bulk seed is light brown and well-cleaned seed is 

 free from chaff. Individual seeds are in the hull, 

 which is lance -shaped, tapering to each end, 

 broadest at the middle and triangular in cross-sec- 

 tion, the back of the seed being sharply angled. 

 The intermediate nerves of the hull, one along the 

 center of each oblique half of the back, are plainly 

 evident under a lens as broad ridges (a a). These 

 are important in distinguishing this seed. The 

 edges of the hull are separated along the inner 

 face (b). The free grain of the seed (o) is lance- 

 shaped, wine-colored and grooved on one side. 

 Commercial seed is usually rubbed free of the hairs 

 on the angles of the hull and the frail apexes are 

 usually more or less torn. 



CANADii blue-grass (Poa compressa). Pig. 223. 

 This seedf in bulk is usually somewhat lighter col- 



