373 
Annual Report for 1913 of the Botanist . 
about a thousand seeds each when set to germinate failed to 
show the presence of a single seed capable of growth. 
Another unsatisfactory series of clover samples was received 
from the north of England. The guaranteed percentages of 
germination were as follows : — 
Red clover . . . • • • • ^6 per cent. 
Perennial cow-grass . . - • • ^6 ,, 
White clover ^0 ,, 
The results of the analyses were : — 
Red clover . 74 per cent, germinated 5 per cent, “hard” seeds 
Perennial cow-grass 71 ,, ,, 5 ,, » 
White clover . 75 ,, ,, 6 ,, ,, 
As the purchaser was informed, on complaining of the quality 
of the seeds, that a gross mistake had been made in the analyses 
I thought it advisable to have a series of independent tests 
made at the Swiss Seed Control Station at Zurich. These 
confirmed our own analyses, but we were promptly countered 
with the argument that the vitality of the seeds had fallen off 
during the three or four weeks these analyses took. The 
statement had to be disposed of by yet another series of 
analyses a month later. It is worth noting that this argument 
is commonly used by some seed-dealers, and although very 
few fresh agricultural seeds show any appreciable loss of 
vitality during the course of a month it is as well to do away 
with the “ excuse ” by sending seeds for testing as soon as they 
are received. . , . 
The bulk of the red clover samples consisted ot poor-looking 
discoloured seed which was often shrivelled. It had, however, 
a higher germinating capacity than its appearance led one to 
expect. The best looking samples were probably “ yearling ' 
seed. 
The few samples of sainfoin examined were unusually bad. 
Each of them was milled and contained large percentages of 
“hard” seed. One, after repeated tests, gave a maximum 
germination percentage of only 29 per cent. 
White clover, trefoil, and lucerne were well up to the 
average of former years. 
A small number of samples of mangold seed were sent or 
analysis. Each of them was probably several years old. I he 
best showed a 90 per cent, germination, the worst 53 per cent., 
whereas good, fresh samples should produce about 150 plants 
per 100 seeds. “Seeds” of the grasses were well up to the 
average of former years, probably because the bulk ot them 
had been harvested under more satisfactory conditions than 
obtained in this country in the autumn of 1912. two 
extraordinary grass-seed mixtures were, however, received 
with inquiries as to their suitability for the formation ot 
