1906.] Red Clover Seed and its Impurities. 



721 



or tiles, the germinating energy of red clover being noted from 

 the third day, and the test is discontinued when the sample 

 has been in the incubator or germinator for ten days. 



If the farmer feels disposed to test the germinating capacity 

 of seeds himself, he can do it in a very simple way by counting 

 200 seeds and sowing each hundred separately in two small 

 flower-pots, which may be placed in an ordinary greenhouse 

 Another way, by which the result may be arrived at more 

 quickly, is to place the seeds between folds of wet blotting- 

 paper, moistened flannel or felt, and then place them between 

 two plates or saucers near the kitchen stove. By this method 

 the farmer will find (provided that the conditions as to moisture, 

 air and heat are approximately right and the seeds new) that 

 sprouting will doubtless begin on the second day, and by the 

 third day one-half to three-fourths, or even more, will have 

 commenced to grow. 



The farmer cannot judge the real cultural worth of any sample 

 either by its appearance or by the price he has paid for it, but he 

 can easily form an opinion when the purity and germinating 

 capacity is disclosed. The intrinsic value is determined by 

 multiplying the percentage of pure seeds by the pure seeds 

 capable of germination ; thus, if a sample is 90 per cent, pure 

 and germinates 80 per cent., the real or cultural worth to the 



farmer would be 9° x ^° — y 2 per cent, real worth, which means 

 100 



that in every hundred seeds seventy-two are true to name and 

 capable of germinating. 



In the handling and cleaning of seeds somewhat primitive 

 methods still prevail in many small country towns and villages 

 in the United Kingdom, and the sale of seeds of the quality 

 stated is by no means exceptional, but it would be well to point 

 out that in purchasing seed of 72 per cent, value the farmer has 

 the doubtful privilege of paying for 28 lb. of dead seed, weed 

 seed, and rubbish out of every 100 lb. at the same price as good 

 seed. The purchaser is fortunate if it is only dead rubbish, and 

 not the living seeds of obnoxious weeds. 



D. FlNLAYSON. 



M M M 



