666 FARM ' SEEDS ' : SPECIAL 



Rye-grass seeds, which are added to give weight to the sample, 

 are not at all similar to Foxtail, as is seen by reference to 

 Pig. 225, and description on page 672. 



Seeds of Alopeciirus ariuidinaceiis Poir. and A. geniciilatus L. 

 which are similar to ^Meadow Foxtail but with more open empty 

 glumes are sometimes met with in adulterated samples. 



Germixation Capacity. — The spikelets when ripe easily fall 

 away from the plant, and to avoid this much seed is gathered 

 in an unripe condition. The germination capacity of such 

 samples is very poor. Tlie florets are, moreover, subject to 

 the attacks of fungi and small insects which also reduces the 

 quality in this respect. 



The very best samples sometimes reach a germination capacity 

 of S5 per cent., but often it is not more than 60, and sometimes 

 as low as 10. 



Samples containing 60 pjer cent, of seed capable of germina- 

 tion may be considered good. 



^^'EIGHT. — An examination of the weight of 1000 seeds is of 

 the greatest importance in determining the usefulness of samples. 

 Where it does not amount to more than '65 grams., the parcel 

 should be rejected as containing a large proportion of empty 

 chaiT. 



1000 perfect seeds weigh about i gram. ; a bushel about i2lbs. 

 Timothy or Catstail (Phhtim p>-atense L.). 

 Form, Size, and Colour. — The seed consists of the flowering 

 glume and pale with the caryopsis, the whole being 

 oval in form (Fig. 21 1); from 2 to 2'5 mm. long and 

 •75 broad. Both glumes are very thin and transparent, 

 with a characteristic silvery-whitc lustre. C)ld or badly 

 han'ested seed is often discoloured and dull. 



When allowed to ripen thoroughly, many of the 

 caryopses fall out of their glumes, and a considerable 

 proportion of these naked fruits is sometimes met 

 with. In such samples the caryopses are plump and of a 



