444 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 
Cost of High-Grade and Low-Grade Seed.—It is usually safe to 
assume that the highest grade and consequently the highest- 
priced seed offered by any one firm is the cheapest to buy. In 
the high grades of alfalfa the seed that will grow costs less per 
pound than that in the low grades. When samples from different 
firms are to be compared a careful estimate of the quality of each 
should be made and the best quality selected. A good grade of 
alfalfa should contain not over 2 per cent of impurities, and 
from 90 to 95 per cent of the seed should grow. 
Home Testing.—lIt is difficult for one who is not accustomed to 
handling alfalfa seed to determine accurately its percentage of 
purity, especially the amount of dodder and other weed seeds 
present, but a general estimate of the quality of unadulterated 
seed can be formed on a basis of color. The percentage of seed 
that will grow can easily be determined by means of a simple 
tester. 
Mix the seed thoroughly and count out 100 or 200 seeds just as 
they come, making no selection. Put them between a fold of cot- 
ton flannel or some similar cloth, taking care not to let the seeds 
touch one another. Lay the cloth on a plate, moisten it well, 
put do not saturate it, cover with another plate and keep at a 
temperature of about 70° F. Every day count and take out the 
sprouted seeds. In from four to six days all of the good seeds 
will have sprouted, and the percentage of seed that will grow 
is known. 
Free Tests.—The seed laboratory of the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture is prepared without charge to make tests 
of alfalfa seed and of other seeds, both for germination and 
for mechanical purity. The test for mechanical purity consists 
in determining the percentage of pure seed and of weed seeds, 
including dodder. All samples sent for testing should be addressed 
to the Seed Laboratory, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Wash- 
ington, D. C., and should be accompanied as far as possible by 
the following information: Name and address of seller, year and 
place of growth, price paid, and name and address of sender. 
Summary.—tThe average quality of alfalfa seed on the market 
is frequently low. 
A considerable quantity of adulterated and dead seed is being 
offered for sale. 
Do not buy alfalfa seed that is adulterated or that is brown in 
color. 
Do not buy alfalfa seed containing the seeds of dodder. 
Get samples and test them, or have them tested, in all cases 
before buying. 
