PURE SEED.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 484, 20 July 1912, Page 5

PURE SEED.

fBT TKMSGRAPn. —I'B.KSS ASSOCIATION.]

Chrietchurch, Friday.

Mr D. F. W. Hilzendorf, Biological Lecturer at the Canterbury Agricultural College, read a paper on "Pure Seeds" before the A. and P. Associations' conference at Christchurch. He explained that many seeds were not harmful, and should bo sown with crops, but the presence of the Californian thistle was sufficient to condemn any sample of seeds. There should be a statement showing what weeds are present in any parcel, and how the weeds would germinate. He read the chief provision contained in the Seeds Sale Control Bill, introduced by tho Hon. T. Mackenzie in October, 1911. He said the Bill was too loose in some directions, and too strict in others. The Bill, however, had done good work. It had created interest, and it would be possible now to evolve a workable Bill, tho real credit of which would be due to Mr Mackenzie. Ho urged the conference to appoint a committee to consider the question so that if another Seeds Bill were introduced the farmers would not be caught ping. Mr Alexander, Cnaterbury, moved that it whs desirable that a Pure Seed Bill should be passed by Parliament. He urged that the Bill should not be a half-hearted measure. Every piece of. seed containing noxious weeds should be condemned, and imported seeds should bo examined at the port of sentry. Inspectors should be empowered to tako samples of seed from any seedsman'B premises. The samples should be analysed to determine the percentage of purity and of germination, the results should be published. There should not be any penalty. Mr Grigg, who seconded the motion, declared that very little of the best class of foreign seeds was imported.