1922.] Redemption of Tithe Eentcharge by Annuity. 733 



it is anticipated that the grading up process will continue, as 

 more experience is gained. 



During the 1921-22 season, the Ministry's inspectors dis- 

 covered a large number of cases in which, owing to ignorance 

 of the Regulations, the necessary particulars were not being 

 declared by the seller. Steps have now been taken to visit the 

 many comparatively small wholesale packeters who supply the 

 packets to the small shopkeepers, for the purpose of explaining 

 to them the provisions of the Regulations as affecting them- 

 selves, and as affecting the retailers to whom they sell their 

 stocks of packets. The beneficial result of these visits is already 

 apparent. 



During the season 270 control samples of packeted seed were 

 taken. The result of the check test on these samples showed 

 that 83 per cent, were seeds germinating at or above the mini- 

 mum prescribed in the Seeds Regulations; 10 per cent, germi- 

 nated below the minimum but above two-thirds, and 7 per cent, 

 were below two-thirds. The corresponding figures for the 

 season 1920-21 were 81 per cent., 13 per cent., and 6 per cent, 

 respectively. 



(To be concluded.) 

 ****** 



REDEMPTION OF 

 TITHE RENTCHARGE BY ANNUITY. 



(1) The Advantages of Redemption. — It is generally agreed 

 by both landowners and titheowners that the redemption of 

 tithe rentcharge on reasonable terms is desirable. Redemption 

 saves the landowner the trouble of verifying the accuracy of 

 the demands sent to him half-yearly by the tithe collector and 

 of having to remit the payments for sums which, in manv 

 instances, are very small. It also removes a possible cause 

 of complication and delay in sales and other dispositions of 

 land. 



The chief advantages of redemption to the titheowner are 

 that it saves him the cost of collection, which in some parishes 

 is considerable, obviates a frequent cause of ill-feeling and 

 litigation and extinguishes the tithe rentcharge for all purposes 

 including the payment of rates and land tax, and thus relieves 

 him of the necessity for taking steps from time to time to 

 obtain a re-assessment of the tithe rentcharge for the purposes 



