iWemtfrg' 13otanical ipribileges. 
The Council have fixed the following rates of charge for the examination, by- 
the Society's Consulting Botanist, of Plants and Seeds, for the bond fide and in- 
dividual informatiou and benefit of Members of the Society (not being seedsmen), 
wlio are particularly requested, when applying to the Consulting Botanist, to 
mention the kind of examination they require, and to quote its number in the 
subjoined schedule. The charge for examination must be paid at the time of 
application, and the carriage of all parcels must be prepaid. 
No. 
1. — A report on the purity, amount, and nature of foreign materials, 
the perfectness, and germinating power of a sample of seed . . 5«. 
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 ,. .. ,. 5«. 
3. — Report on any disease afiecting farm crops . . . . . . . . 5«. 
4. — Determination of the species of a collection of natural grasses found 
in any district, with a report on their habits and pasture value 10«. 
N.B. — The Consulting Botanist's Reports are furnished to enable Members, — 
•purchasers of seeds and corn for agricultural or horticultural purposes, — to test 
the value of ichat theij buy, and are not to be used or made available for advertising 
or trade purposes. 
PUECHASE OF SEEDS. 
The purchaser should obtain from the vendor, by invoice or otherwise, a proper 
designation of the seed 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, gi-een crops, clovers, and timothy grass should be 
not less than 90 per cent. ; of fox-tail, 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 I'rom the centre of the sack or bag, and in all cases from the bxdk 
delivered to the purchaser and not from the purchase sample, and 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 imder which each sample has been 
bought should be sent with it. 
Grass-seeds should be sent at least four weeks, and clover-seeds tw o weeks before 
they are required, and they should not be sown until the report has been received. 
n. Plants. 
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-sUk. 
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. 
Parcels or letters containing seeds or plants for examination (carriage or 
postage prepaid) must be addressed to Mr. W. Carkuthers, F.E.S., 44, Central 
HiU, Norwood, Loudon, S.E. 
