GRASS-SEED TESTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 2

GRASS-SEED TESTING

A GOVERNMENT SUGGESTION. In furtherance of its expressed determination to do all that is possible to improve the quality of grass seed that is sold for the laying down of pastures, the Department of Agriculture recently olfered to undertake the testing of all grass and clover seeds exhibited at agricultural shows. 'l*liis suggestion has been made by the department so that the true merits ot nil seed shown would be known. iho present method of judging these classes on the day of the show, it is claimed, only permits of a superficial examination of the seed. Under tne department’s proposal an accurate analysis of each sample could bo supplied to the judges, and the information thus obtained, would materially assist in the placing of the exhibits Each analysis would give the following particulars:—Purity, and names _of all impurities; germination, and germination energy; real value, equalling actual percentage of seed true to name and capable of germination; weight of 1000 seeds (important, as the heavier the seed the better will be its growth, other things being equal); the number of seeds per pound; and the number of living seeds true to name per pound. It would be necessary for the exhibits to be in the hands or the secretary in time to permit ot samples being taken and analyses madesay. six weeks before judgingday. It was pointed out in this connection that exhibits of dairy produce had now to reach the various shows some considerable time before the advertised date of opening, and no difficulty was experienced. 'ihe adoption of this system would, it was considered, materially help the endeavours that were being made to have all grasses and clover seeds sold in the Dominion on a guarantee basis. Discussing the Government's offer at the last committee meeting of the Manawatu A. and I'. Association members did not appear to appreciate the value of the suggestion, nor did they give the matter- the consideration that its importance demands. According to the report published in a local paper there was practically no discussion, and the remarks that were made would suggest the conclusion # that the committee is more solicitous in regard to keeping up the entries than in actively assisting to promote what is justly claimed to be a necessary reform of national importance . It was suggested that a trial might be made with one class of seed only, but the meeting failed to give a direct pronouncement endorsing the proposal of the departmental officers. In this there is matter for regret, for the cooperation of all connected with pastoral interests is urgently needed to preserve the quality of pasture grasses and protedt the purchaser of seed, who is now compelled to take considerable risk because of the absence of any specified guaranteed analysis each as that advocated.