Evening journal., 1907-02-22
STATION OFFERS
ITS ASSISTANCE
Will Aid Farmers TO Test
Seeds Before Planting
Them

II. S. Jackson. OF the Delaware Col
lege Experimental Station at Newark.
has issued bulletin to farmers OF the
State in which he offers the stations
in aiding them to test their
crop seed.
The bulletin is as follows;
zone Of tho most important things
for the farmer to consider at this sea-
son Of the year is the seed which he
is to plant in the spring Whatever
the CROP It is OF the highest import
can be secured.
1t is too often the case that the
grower pays little or no attention TO
the source OF his seed or TO the variety.
II possible he should know the condi-
ton Of the crop from which the seed
was taken especially with respect to
productivity and the amount OF disease
He should make sure that the variety
is one which is suited to his loca dty.
very productive and not particularly
subject to any Of the more important
diseases. The good dairyman breeds
only from the most productive cows.
and those free from disease. The good
poultryman breeds only from tho best
layers. So the farmer should plant
seed Of only such varieties as are pro-
ductive and especially suited 20 his
locality.
mot less important than the variety
and past history OF the seed is its con-
dition at time OF planting. II should
be pure. that is, free from any con-
siderable numbers OF weed seed. adult
Grants and inert matter. II must have
a high percentage Of termination. It
Is urged. that where any amount OF
seed is to be bought, a guarantee from
the dealer regarding the percentage Of
purity and Termination be required A
test Of n sample should then be made
TO insure that the seed is up to the
guarantee. Maine has a law requiring
that all seed. in quantity exceeding
cne pound. SOLD in the State, be sold
under a guarantee giving the percent.
age of purity and termination. The
tests on which this guarantee is based
are provided for by State funds and
are under the control OF the Expert
ment Station. The law also provides
for regular inspection. and tests, SIM
liar to the fertilizer inspection In prac-
tice in Delaware. Other States have
similar laws regarding seed testing.
Since no law of this sort exists in
Delaware each grower should make
It point to see that the seed he is
to plant is Of a good variety. shows
a high percentage OF termination. and
Is free from any considerable quantity
Of weed seed or inert matter.
In grass, clover. wheat and similar
crops. the purity test is very important
for in such seed many weed seeds may
be present which can only be detected
by a careful examination. Inert mat
ter consisting Of bits OF dirt sand
broken seed and other rubbish makes
up a large percentage OF some OF the
cheaper grades Of seed of these crops.
"The termination test should be
made for all seed. In such crops as
tomatoes, cantaloupes. corn, etc, IL is
OF more Importance than the purity
test. which is properly prepared seed
Of these and similar crops, should not
be necessary.
''The Delaware College Agricultural
Experiment Station takes this oppor-
tunity to offer assistance to any per-
SONS IN DtiLWAits 'WAV AltAL Ro AAA~A
ested in testing their seed for purity OF
termination. We would earnestly
urge that those who have not planned
10 test their seed this year, make pre-.
psrations to do so. II the details o.
the work are not properly understood
write TO the Experiment Station, anS
| fun instructions will be cheerfulll
given. II is urged that the grower
learn to test his own seed, as by 81
doing, he will be able to see for him
self after a few trials. the importance
Of this work. The Experiment Station
is. however, prepared TO make boil
purity and germination tests and vii
DO this free Of charge 10 any one wit
viii send a sample Of seed.
Each sample sent to be tested SHOULD
be enclosed IN strong, securely fast
ened package. and be accompanied b!
a statement. giving the following In
forniation Name under which see'
vas sold name aud address ~ seller
prise pSti. " i@ossspis. where aiso ~'i.ei