i8 4 



Sale of Seeds in German v. 



[JUNE, 



with other agricultural bodies. The experiments are con- 

 ducted on the same lines, so that a large number of trials are 

 made in all parts of Germany, and thus afford a basis for 

 arriving at the average value of the individual sorts both 

 generally and as regards their suitability to different soils and 

 climatic conditions. The results are published by the Seed 

 Division, as a supplement to the Seed List. In 1908 the 

 number of tests carried out by the Society was 279, and by 

 other bodies, 294; of these 543 referred to cereals, and the 

 remainder to roots and beans. 



Seed Bureau. — The Seed Bureau arranges for the purchase 

 and sale of seed, and is under the control of a Special Com- 

 mittee, though the business is transacted by a paid manager. 

 Seeds are only sold on behalf of members of the Society, and 

 although each transaction is carried out through the Bureau, 

 the contract note is drawn up as between the buyer and seller, 

 and payments are made direct, and not through the Society. 



The method adopted is for sellers to notify the Bureau of 

 the quantity of seed they have for sale, and to forward a 

 sample, together with a declaration of purity and germinating 

 power. This sample is tested, and if the result is satisfac- 

 tory a notice is published in the Seed List. A statement of 

 quantity, price, nearest station, and description of seed is 

 published free, but a fee is charged for additional particulars. 

 Offers of corn and root seeds are now only published for 

 " recognised " seed, though occasionally seed for which recog- 

 nition was refused on account of a distinct cause, such as 

 inequality in the crop, but which possessed special qualities 

 otherwise, is included with a statement to that effect. 



If the buyer wishes to have the seeds supplied tested, he 

 must take a sample according to instructions and submit it 

 to an approved seed-testing station. If the examination 

 shows the existence of dodder, the buyer may return the con- 

 signment. Provision is made for second and third tests to 

 be made in cases of dispute, and a formula is agreed upon 

 for calculating the value of the seed according to the result 

 of the examination. The cost of one examination is refunded 

 by the Society. Twenty-five seed-testing stations have been 

 approved for this purpose. 



As regards the guarantee of purity and germination, seeds 



