SEED TESTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 36, 5 October 1912, Page 5

SEED TESTING.

A DEPARTMENTAL CIRCULAR

At the meeting of tho executive oi the Stratford A. and P. Association, nold last night, a circular letter was received from, the secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The communication read: ‘‘As your Association is aware, at nearly all of the autumn and winter A. and P. show* there are numerous classes for grass and clover sqedsj tho judging of which is carried out on the day of the show by judges appointed by the Associa turns'. In shell circumstances it is, 01 course, quite impossible for anything hut a superficial, and often hurried examination of tlxe seed to be made. The Department is therefore of tin opinion that it w'ould lie in the bes. interests of the Dominion if a more satisfactory method of determining the value of such seeds could he introduced. With this end in view', I am directed by the Honourable tho Minister for Agriculture to state that should your Association so desire the Department would be willing to undertake the testing of all such seeds exhibited at your Show. An accurate analysis of each sample could then he supplied to tho judges, and the information thus obtained would mater? hilly assist in the placing of the exhibits. Such analysis could, if thought advisable, remain attached to the respective exhibits, and in this way the relative values would be clearly indicated. Each analysis would give the following particulars;—l." Purity, names of all impurities. 2. Germination and germination energy. 3. Real value, according to actual percentage of seed true to name and capable of germination. 4. Weight of one thousand seeds. (Important, for the heavier the seed is the better will be its growth, other things being equal). 6. Number of seeds per lb. 6. Number of living seeds true to name per lb.” “In order to practically apply this scheme it would, of course, be necessary for exhibits to be in the hands of tho secretaries of Associations in time to permit of samples being taken and analysis made—say, six weeks before show' day—but I see no reason why this should not be done. As you are aware, exhibits of dairy produce have now to reach various bodies some considerable time before the advertised day of opening, and no difficulties are experienced. The adoption of this system w'ould, it is considered, also materially help endeavours that are being made to have all grass and clover seeds sold in tho Dominion on a guaranteed basis.” Tho following resolution w r as carried unanimously: “That this Association approves of the suggestion of the Agricultural Department, in the matter of testing seeds, but that -*e Association has no classes for seeds in its schedule for this year; if, however, there should bo any such classes in the future, tho Association would lie only too pleased to avail itself of their assistance.”