6 
SEPARATING BUCKHORN FROM CLOVER AND ALFALFA SEEDS. 
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Fro. 2. — Seeds of alfalfa (a) ; seeds of buckhorn (6). (Natural size. \ 
by means of any of the methods or machines in use. Most other weed 
seeds may be cleaned out without much trouble, owing to differences 
between them and clover seeds in one or more particulars. 
Many trials were made in the Bureau of Plant Industry with the 
best known 
types of 
cleaning 
machines, 
but the y 
failed to ef- 
fect a satis- 
factory sep- 
aration of 
bue kh orn 
seeds. Ex- 
peri m e n t s 
were then 
undertaken 
to work out 
an efficacious method that should be inexpensive and available alike 
to the farmer and to the seedsman. 
THE MUCILAGINOUS PROPERTY OF BUCKHORN SEEDS. 
The only point of sufficiently marked difference between buckhorn 
and clover seeds seemed to be the well-known mucilaginous character 
of the former. This mucilaginous character is possessed also by the 
seeds of peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum L.) and false flax (Camt - 
Una sativa Crantz). The mucilage forms a comparatively thick. 
glossy, transparent, external coating on the normal healthy buckhorn 
seed and is very absorbent of water. When moistened the seed 
becomes much swollen and very adhesive. A very small percentage 
of buckhorn seeds is found to be nonmucilaginous ; these are immature 
or abnormal seeds and possess low vitality. 
COATING BUCKHORN SEEDS AFTER MOISTENING THEM. 
The idea suggested itself that after moistening the seeds and thus 
developing the adhesiveness of the buckhorn seeds, an insoluble sub- 
stance in a fine state of division might be mixed with them, and that 
a portion of this substance would adhere to the buckhorn seeds. The 
latter would thus be increased in bulk, surface friction, etc., and 
might then be separated from the clover or alfalfa seeds by means 
clover. The results have been so satisfactory thai it is deemed wise to present 
them briefly for the information of fanners and seedsmen. An application for 
a patenl on the processes described to permit their general and unrestricted use 
by the public has been filed. — B. T. Galloway, Chief of Bureau, 
[Circ. 2] 
