SEED ASSOCIATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1865, 26 September 1913, Page 10

SEED ASSOCIATIONS.

MOVEMENT IN CANTERBURY. For soma timo past there has been a steadily-growing agitation on tho part of far-seeing farmers towards the formation of seed-growing associations, which havo for their main object tho raising of the standard of seed stocks, and to endeavour to induce farmers to cultivate varieties of seed, now moro or less neglected, which have a good marketable value. At the recent Conference of Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in Wellington, the desirability of such. associations was freely discussed. It was pointed out that great advancement had been shown in other cereal-growing countries in tho direction' of improving farm seeds. Now that something is being done in New Zealand in the direction of breeding up new and improved varieties of seed for local and export purposes, tlio time has come when it is imperative that a moro systematic endeavour should be made to foster an industry which alrea'dy shows.great promise; in addition to protecting local purchasers against being supplied with indifferent seed for solving on the cropping and pasture lands. There are, no doubt, many details in connection with tho work ,of an association of this kind which permit of a variance of opinion, but if the movement is delayed until there is unanimity regarding minor points, the chancos aro that the old haphazard "way of dealing with seed stocks will continue indefinitely. . '' As tho outcome of a resolution passed by the Canterbury A. and P. Association recently, that a Canterbury Seedgrowers' Association,.is advisable, tho following circular, drafted on lines that havo been successful in Canada, has been issued, sotting forth tho objects of the proposed 1 association for that centre:— : • 1

"The 'idea of the association is thaf> its members shall tako steps, approved by tho association, to raise seed of our ordinary, farm crops (wheat, oats, etc.) of a quality superior to tho ordinary run of. seed noiv available, and notify an inspector appointed by the association of when* tho seed is ready to cut. Tho inspector will then cxainino tlic crop, and see that it is free from impurities (i.e., admixtures of other varieties of the' same 'kind of seed), and that it is true to name. When the seed is threshed, the combino must bo thoroughly cleaned', the first three bags coming fi;om the combine must bo rejected (i.e., i used for milling or feedin" but not for seed), and the inspector will; examine the remainder for seed. Ho will then issue a certificate as to tho seed—its variety name, its purity, its germination ' capacity, its freedom from weeds, its condition, quality, etc., then : attach a label showing tho. most important details of tho certificate, and seal tho bag and label with the, association's seal. "Before seed time tho association will print a circular setting forth in tabu-1 iar form the names of tho various seeds that it has caused to bo inspected; the nanio and address of tho grower;, tho quality of the seed; tho quantity in the grower's hands, and tho price lie asks for it. This circular will, bo distributed to all farmers in tho country It is hoped, by this means/ to givo growers of good seed; some ment to continue their .work, to advise others of the best methods to improve their stocks of seed, and to place tho general farmer in a position to secure a reliable change of seed when lie requires it. ■ "Tlio association will, though its secretary, obtain reliable information regarding any new fodder or other plant .Suggested for use in Canterbury, arrange for its being grown by some of the members to prove its suitability or otherwise, and then issuo a statement as to its commercial value. "Tho association will itself handle no .seed, but confine itself to inspecting crops and seed; issuing certificates in regard to them, and informing tho farming public of the existence of sucn certificated' seed. The grower will deal directly with the buyer, or, of course, may sell to a merchant if he wishes. The expense of the association will extend only to the*.matter of secrotanal work and printing, as there is good reason to expect, that the Government will support the movement by lending its expert officers to do the work of inspecting. The cost of printing, etc., should be covered by an annual subscription of not more than £1 per member."