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^ember^ botanical $titoilege£. 
The Council have fixed the following rates of charge for the esaminat ion, by 
the Society's Consulting Botanist, of Flants and Seeds, for the bond fide and indi- 
vidual information and benefit of Members of the Society (not being seedsmen). 
The charge for examination must be paid at the time of application, and 
the carriage of all parcels must be prepaid. 
1. — A report on the parity, amount, and nature of foreign materials, 
the perfectness and germinating power of a sample of seed . Is. 
2. — Determination of the species of any weed or other plant, or of any 
epiphyte or vegetable parasite, with a report on its habits, and 
the means for its extermination or prevention .... la. 
3. — Report on any disease affecting farm crops Is. 
4. —Determination of the species of a collection of natural grasses found 
in any district, with a report on their habits and pasture value . 5s. 
N.B. — The Consulting Botanist's Reports on Seeds arc furnished to enable 
Members, — purchasers of seeds and corn for agricultural or horticultural 
purposes— to test the value of what they buy, and are not to be used or made 
available for advertising or trade purposes. 
PURCHASE OF SEEDS. 
The purchaser should obtain from the vendor, by invoice or otherwise, a 
proper designation of the teed he buys, with a guarantee that it contains not 
more than a specified amount of other seeds, and is free from ergot, or, in the 
case of clovers, from dodder, and of the percentage of seeds that will germinate. 
The germination of cereals, green crops, clovers, and timothy grass should 
be not less than 90 per cent. ; of foxtail, not less than 60 per cent. ; of other 
grasses, not less than 70 per cent. 
The Council strongly recommend that the purchase of prepared mixtures 
should be avoided, and that the different seeds to be sown should be purchased 
separately. 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SELECTING AND SENDING SAMPLES. 
I. Seeds. 
In sending seed or corn for examination the utmost care must be taken to 
secure a fair and honest sample. In the case of grass-seeds, the sample should 
be drawn from the centre of the sack or bag, and in all cases from the bulk 
delivered to the purchaser and not from the purchased sample. When bought 
by sample the whole or part of that sample should be sent. 
When it is considered necessary to secure legal evidence, the sample should 
be taken from the bulk and placed in a sealed bag in the presence of a reliable 
witness who is acquainted with the identity of the bulk, and care should be 
taken that the purchased sample and bulk be not tampered with after delivery, 
or mixed or come in contact with any other sample or stock. 
One ounce of grass and other small seeds should be sent, and two ounces 
of cereals or larger seeds. The exact name under which each sample has been 
bought should be sent with it. 
Grass-seeds should be sent at least fouk weeks, and clover-seeds two 
weeks before they are required, and they should not be sown, until the report 
has been received. 
II. Plakts. 
In collecting specimens of plants, the whole plant should be taken up, and 
the earth shaken from the roots. If possible, the plants must be in flower or 
fruit. They should be packed in a light box, or in a firm paper parcel. 
Specimens of diseased plants or of parasites should be forwarded as fresh as 
possible. They should be placed in a bottle, or packed in tinfoil or oil-silk. 
All specimens should be accompanied with a letter specifying the nature of 
the information required, and stating any local circumstances (soil, situation, 
&c.) which, in the opinion of the sender, would be likely to throw light on the 
inquiry. 
Farcels or letters containing seeds or plants for examination (carriage or 
postage prepaid) must be addressed to Mr. W. Cakbcthers, F.R.S., 44 Central 
Hill, Norwood, London, S.E. 
