12 COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING 
a germinator and tested as to their vitality and 200 more are put in another place 
We do it always in duplicate. This gives us the percentage of vitality in the seeds. 
Then an expert examines and classifies the weed seeds which have been separated in 
the first place by the girls. 
Q. What is the germinator like? 
A. It is an apparatus made of copper and surrounded by a water jacket two inches 
in thickness; that is kept at the proper temperature by a little gas flame which is 
gauged by a gas thermoregulator. Little trays are run in, and on these is placed the 
seed between folds of blotting paper moistened every day; the test lasts from three to 
five days for a preliminary test, and in some cases fourteen days for a final test. You 
will find that fully described in the bulletin of which members can have some for 
distribution. That is why I do not take up the time of the Committee to explain de- 
tails this morning at any greater length. In this proposed Bill, which it would not be 
well to discuss to-day, but which I hope will come before the Committee, the intention 
is to forbid entirely the sale of seeds for seeding purposes if they contain any of twelve 
of the worst weeds in Canada. That is*in practice in the North-west Territories now 
in regard to cereal seeds. The Bill totally forbids the sale of any seed for seed pur- 
poses that contains any of twelve of the worst weeds that are named. Then it enacts 
that all seed offered for sale for seed purposes should be graded and sold in grades under 
recognized standard grade names. 
Q. Graded by whom? 
A. The Bill itself provides for that, according to the standards in the Bill. For 
instance to-day a man will have three grades of seed, one of which he calls ‘ Reindeer,’ 
one ‘Fox,’ and another ‘Dog.’ Another dealer will sell the same grades of seed in 
three grades which he calls ‘ Whale,’ ‘Shark’ and ‘Herring, names that mean ab- 
solutely nothing as applied to seeds. Now it seems to be the opinion of the men who 
have given this most thought that everybody selling seed should be compelled to grade 
it, under at least one of four well recognized and defined grades: Grade No. 1, grade 
No. 2, grade No. 8 and grade No. 4, or screenings. Grade No. 1 must be free from 
certain named weeds, and must contain not less than 90 per cent of the pure vital seed 
of the kind that it is represented to be. Grade No. 2 must be free from some weeds 
named—not so many named as for grade No. 1—and must contain not less than 80 
per cent of pure vital seed. Grade No. 3 must be free from still fewer weeds and con- 
tain not less than 70 per cent of pure vital seed. Anything under 70 per cent of pure 
vital seed of the sort described, must be graded as No. 4, or screenings. Then any farmer 
buying seed and wishing to know whether it is up to the grade represented, may send 
a sample to the seed laboratory here, and have it tested for him by the department. 
Q. Do you think that is reasonable for the trade? 
A. Very reasonable, and if the trade will co-operate with us it will be to the 
mutual advantage of the seedsmen and the purchasers. 
Q. What would be the average of good seed in those samples of red clover there? 
A. You mean these samples we have been speaking about, purchased in eastern 
Ontario? 
Q. Yes, what is the average of them, about 83 per cent I think? 
A. About that of pure vital seed. Then let me say this further. That is not the 
average of Red Clover grown in Ontario or in Canada, but the average of what we 
bought. The very best clover seed grown in the country is cleaned thoroughly and sold 
out of the country in markets where they have regulations and restrictions and where 
farmers would not buy poor seed at all; and in some instances, I am sorry to say the 
sereenings are scattered over the farms of Canada. If the law would compel seedsmen 
to burn all that rubbish that contains weeds, the country—if need be—could pay fifty 
prices for it and then get off cheaper than by letting it get sown. 
Q. Who would grade these seeds? 
A. The seedsmen should have them graded. 
Q. A great deal of the seed is sold in the country by the merchant to the farmer, 
and the merchant has no appliances for testing. 
