Milford chronicle., 1907-03-22
SEED TESTING.
An Offer Of Assistance.

season OF the year IS Lue SeeQ WulCI
he is to plant in the spring. What
ever the crop, it is of the highes
Importance that the seed be th'
best that can be secured.
It is too often the case that tn,
grower pays little or no attention tC
the source of his seed or to the
variety. If possible, he should
know the condition of the crop
from which the seed was taken, es-
pecially with respect to productivity
and the amount of disease. He
should make sure that the variety
is one which is suited to his locality,
very productive and not particlarly
subject to any of the more import
ant diseases. The good dairyman
breeds only from his most product
i've COWS, and those free from dis
ease. The good poultryman breeds
only from his best layers. So the
farmer should plant seed of only
such varieties as are productive and
especially suited to his locality.
Not less important than the var
iety and past history of the seed is
its condition at time of planting.
1t should be pure, that is, free from
any considerable numbers of weed
seeds, adulterants, and inert matter.
1t must have a high percentage of
termination. 1t is urged, that,
where any amount of seed is to be
bought, guarantee from the dealer
regarding the percentage of purity |
and termination be required. A
test of a sample should then be
made to insure that the seed is up
to the guarantee. Maine has a law
that all seed, IN quantity
one pound, sold in the
state, be sold under a guarantee
giving the percentage of purity and
termination. The tests on whi' b
this guarantee is based are provided
for by State funds, and are under
the control of the Experiment
Station. The law also provides for
regular inspection, and tests, sim
liar to the fertilizer inspection in
in Delaware. Other states
have similar laws regarding seed
testing.
Since no law of this sort exists in
Delaware, each grower should make
t a point to see that the seed he is
o plant is of a good variety, shows
/ high percentage of germinatiC n,
Ind is free from any considerable
quantity of weed seed or inert
natter.
In grass, clover, wheat and sim
lar crops, the purity test is very
for in such seed many
weed seeds may be present, which
an only be detected by a careful
examination. Inert matter consist
1g of bits of dirt, sand, broken seed
nd other rubbish me ke; up a large
of some of the cheaper
rades of seed of these crops.
The termination test should be
lade for all seed. In such crops :
S tomatoes, canteloupes, corn, ETC.,
. is of more importance than the
urity test, which in properly pre-
ared seed of these and similar
rops, should not be necessary.
The Delaware College Agricul-
1ral Experiment Station takes this
pportunity to offer assistance to
ny persons, in Delaware, who may
e interested in testing their seed
,r purity or termination. We
.ould earnestly urge that those
no have not planned to test their
ed this year, make preparations
, do so. If the details of the work
re not properly understood, write
, the Experiment Station, and full
will be cheerfully given.
is urged that the grower learn to
st his own seed, as by so doing,
: will be able to see for himself, 1
-ter few trials, the Importance of
lis work. The experiment Sta 4
on is, however, prepared to make |
9TH pnrity and termination tests,
i'd will do this free of charge to a
" one who will send a sample of v
ed. II
Each sample sent to be tested :.
lould be enclosed in a strong, Sc
lrely fastened package, and be y
companied by statement, giving II
e following information Name
lder which seed was sold; name +,
i'd address of seller; price paid :.
possible, where and when grown; 8
lme and address of sender. p
The amount necessary to make -
e test will vary with the kind of
ed Of the smaller veoetab1e coed