1904.] 



Destruction of Weeds. 



201 



But above all the farmer must use care and circumspection 

 with regard to the selection of his seeds. Many farmers who 

 will fight an endless battle with the weeds on their land will 

 themselves introduce fresh detachments of the enemy through 

 not being sufficiently particular as to the seeds they buy, 

 accepting probably an inferior sample on account of its costing 

 slightly less ; or (and this applies with tenfold force after such a 

 season as last) neglecting to obtain a scientific opinion upon 

 the seeds before using them. 



An example of the risk run in this way was brought under 

 my notice this spring. It was the intention to use two samples 

 of home-grown seeds, and, in addition, the required amounts of 

 eight varieties of clover, grass, and cabbage seeds were ordered 

 in the usual way. On the seeds being delivered a sample was 

 taken from each of the ten varieties and forwarded to the 

 Botanist to the Royal Agricultural Society. I append his 

 statement of the result of his examination. Needless to say 

 the inferior seeds were returned and better samples obtained. 



W. Hardie, Ph.D., M.R.A.C. 



