1922.] Annual Eeport of Chief Veterinary Officer. 1145 



nearly 20 per cent, of the samples of red clover received at 

 the Station contained seeds of this parasite. About 4 per 

 cent, of English red clovers contained dodder, and it is worthy 

 of note that the large seeded form occurred almost as 

 frequently as the small seeded " English " dodder. 



(6) All varieties of clover of Czecho-Slovak origin con- 

 tinue to show high percentages of weed seeds and dodder. 



(7) A large number of tests were made on species not sche- 

 duled in the Testing of Seeds Order, and it is satisfactory to 

 note that such seed was found to be of good quality. 



(8) Opportunity might here be taken to draw attention to 

 two modifications in Seed Testing practice brought about by 

 the passing of the Seeds Act. 



(a) Since 1st August, 1921, the Continental method of testing grass seed 

 has replaced the Irish method. The general tendency of this change 

 is to reduce the average purity figure and to increase the average 

 germination. This difference must be borne in mind when comparing 

 the results of tests made since 1st August with those of tests made 

 previous to that date. 



(6) The germination of mangolds and beet is now estimated in' terms of 

 "germinating clusters/' and not, as hitherto, in terms of " sprouts." 

 In view of this, the " minimum percentages of germination " for 

 these species have been reduced from 120 per cent, and 90 per cent, 

 'to 60 per cent, and 50 per cent, respectively. 



This Eeport, being the first Eeport with regard to diseases 

 of animals since the Animals Division of the Ministry was re- 

 The Annual organised at the end of 1919, has now been 

 Re ort of the i ssue d over the signature of Sir Stewart 



« . ? w . . Stockman, the Chief Veterinary Officer. It 



Chief Veterinary , . ' . . _ , _ J . \ 

 Officer for 1920 con ^i n s particulars of the various out- 

 breaks of foot-and-moufch disease, swine 

 fever, anthrax, parasitic mange, sheep scab, glanders and other 

 diseases prevalent in farm animals, and the work of the Dis- 

 eases of Animals Branch in connection with them. It also 

 contains particulars of administrative action in regard to the 

 exportation of horses, the importation of dogs, and the landing of 

 animals from Ireland, as well as an account of the steps taken 

 during the year 1920* in regard to importations under the 

 Foreign Hay and Straw Orders, and the weighing of cattle 

 under the Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Acts, 1887 

 and 1891. 



The Eeport also deals with such interesting topics as the 

 outbreak of cattle plague in Belgium which took place in 1920, 



