The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-20

During the winter months is the time for
farmers to plan and prepare for the next
season, says the Epitom1st. Before spring
comes seeds should be ordered so as to
have them on hand at the moment they
are needed. 1t does not pay to buy seeds
simply because they are offered cheap,
without regard to anything else, for the
cheapest are sometimes dearest in the end.
1t is much better to buy of reliable houses,
such as are represented by the Epitomists
premium offers.
The writer. a few years ago. tested the
seeds of nearly all firms that offered them
for sale in the state, and found them va
rying in terminating power from one hum
dred per cent. to nothing.
They were sprouted in pockets made Of
cloth, having a flap hanging down into 3
or inches of water TO supply the neces-
sary moisture. They were kept at a near
lions ev we're me more fo faSt th sn e %Ren
planted in soil. Notwithstanding this,
many seeds were found that had no life
in them whatever. One firm, in particu-
lar, recall where the seeds were SO near
ly worthless that only a few varieties
would terminate at all, and those but five
or six per cent. The seeds of the most
reliable dealers sprouted from seventy
five to one hundred per cent, and this is
as well as ought to be expected, as certain
seeds like beet, parsnip, celery etc, can
never be depended upon TO grow more
than three-fourths of the whole number
planted. Cabbage, turnip, peas, beans, etc,
will often terminate from ninety to one
hundred per cent. OF all the firms repre-
scented at the time mentioned-some TWEEN
ty or more-not more than one quarter
put UP seeds to be relied upon.
We hate to believe that there is so much
dishonesty among dealers, but are forced
to state that such is the case, and farmers
must guard themselves against il. 1t is
stated upon good authority that some
houses make use of sulphur fumes to
bleach seeds that have become yellow
with age. Some firms make a regular
practice of mixing seed left over from
the previous year with fresh stock, and
selling it all for new seed.
Not only are old, worthless seeds put
upon the market, but also those that con-
tain weed seeds. No wonder that there
are weeds on the farm, when the owner
MANFRED and well cultivated soil. The
fOulest seed / ever saw was red clover,
which contained about a fifth part of rib
grass or grass-leaved plaintain. 1t has
common in clover. 1t is a miserable
weed, growing readily in moving fields,
and is of no value for fodder. This seed
was sold in large quantities to farmers,
who probably never made the slightest
examination. The seeds of dodder, which
is a parasite on clover. are often mixed
with it, and should be looked for.
In grass seeds have found smart
weed, daisy, wild carrot, and sorrel in
considerable amount and many other
weeds in small quantities. In wheat and
other grains there is usually more or
less chess, and oats are commonly full Of
wild radish or mustard. Most Of the oat
fields in this section, just before harvest,
are yellow with the wild radish and char
lock blossoms. The easiest way to test
seeds for impurities IS 70 spread out
handful on sheet of white paper, and
with a penknife pick out the foul seeds
hand lens will be a help in making the
examination, and few minutes work
will tell about the percentage of weed
seeds and other impurities.