i8o 



Sale of Seeds in Germany [June, 



ing " of potatoes will be obtained when it is practised in the 

 autumn immediately after lifting. 



In addition to the advantages indicated above, autumn 

 "greening" will, to a great extent, check the ravages of 

 winter-rot, which often spreads in a wholesale manner after 

 potatoes are stored, the fungus readily gaining admission 

 through the soft skin of ungreened potatoes. 



The short, sturdy, firmly-attached sprouts of " greened" 

 potatoes do not break off during planting. The long, weak 

 sprouts of potatoes kept in the dark have to be broken off 

 before planting, as they are useless. 



explanation of plate. 



The two upper tubers were kept in darkness throughout the experiment. The 

 sprouts shown are the second lot produced. The tubers are much shrivelled and 

 flabby. 



The lower tube/ was exposed to light throughout the experiment. The sprouts 

 shown are the only ones formed. The tuber is firm and solid. The corrugations on 

 the surface v\ ere caused by scab of mechanical origin. 



SALE OF SEEDS BY THE GERMAN AGRI- 

 CULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The importance to the farmer of seed of high quality and 

 germinating power has been recognised on the Continent to 

 a very much greater extent than has been the case in this 

 country. Seed-testing stations, which give agriculturists an 

 opportunity of having their seeds examined at a small fee, 

 exist in all the northern European countries, and, in addi- 

 tion, the system of "seed control" ensures that a large pro- 

 portion of the seeds sold are tested without any action on 

 the part of the purchaser. The "control," it may be men- 

 tioned, consists in an arrangement whereby seedsmen enter 

 into an undertaking with the authorities of a seed-testing 

 station to sell their seeds with a guarantee of purity and 

 germination, based on the results of tests made at the station. 

 The seedsmen also accept the report of the station on samples 

 taken by the buyer, so that compensation is payable in the 

 event of a sample falling below the guarantee. 



The work of these seed-testing stations, however, while it 

 undoubtedly goes far to secure purity and high germinating 

 power, still leaves untouched several other factors in the 

 supply of seed which are of equal importance to the farmer. 



