Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1912-02-29
Seed Grain Situation
Has Become Serious

Has Become Serious
The last issue of the Dakota Farm ar
has an urgent article on the seed
grain question, from which the follow
ing extracts are taken: 5
Never in the history of this part Of
the country has the seed situation
been so serious as it is right now.
1t has been known for several
months that there was very little seed
corn of good termination in the coun-
try, and it has been the general opin.
ion that all other seed from the 1911
crops was not of high quality--but
evidence is rapidly accommodating that
very little seed of any kind from the
1911 crop in this territory, and particn-
larly South Dakota and large portions
of North Dakota, is fit to plant at all.
The result of hundreds of tests of
seed wheat which have been brought
to the attention of the Dakota Farmer,
shows an average termination of less
than 40 per cent. Many of the tests
showed that wheat which had every
appearance of being first class had
practically no value as seed. Very
few tests showed an 80 per cent ger
mination, and when this high it was
generally from wheat which had been
very carefully cleaned and graded,
throwing out all light and imperfect
kernels and retaining only the best.
Barley and Oats "A
Barley and oats made very light
crop in much of this territory last
| year and much of it is absolutely uns
fit for seed. Several hundred tests re-
ported to the Dakota Farmer show
almost no termination.
In addition to this is the fact that
there is very little old seed to be had
anywhere.
Flax is Very Poor.
Flax from the 1911 crop is especial.
| ly poor. So much Of it was SO late
that it froze before fully matured, and
while making fair marketable grain,
shows a very low termination test.
However, those having considerable
quantities can get some good seed by
carefully cleaning and grading saw
ing only the very best.
What is to be Done?
First-If you have seed, test 1t.
Don't be satisfied with testing a small
quantity from one bin or from one
part Of a bin; but get samples from
all parts and test thoroughly.
Second-If you haven't seed, or If
yours does not test properly, drop ey-
erything else and make it your special
and sole business to get seed that will
| grow.
Don't buy a pound of seed without
a guarantee as to the termination un-
less you have made your own tests,
and make them anyway. Don't take
anyones word for it. Insist on an
absolute guarantee, and be sure that
the guarantee is good.
II you buy guaranteed seed, test it
Immediately upon receipt and then
| keep it SO it will not deteriorate$
What is Guarantee?
II The ordinary guarantee is an agree
ment that the article sold is as repre-
scented; and If not, that a satisfactory
substitute will be furnished or the
| purchase price returned.
Few, If any, sellers construe their
guarantee to mean that they will make
good any losses or pay damages re-
sulting from the use of guaranteed
articles simply guarantee that If the
article is not as represented salts.
factory substitute win be furnished
or purchase price returned. 5ja
This wouldn't be much satisfaction
to one who had bought guaranteed
seed, planted 1t. and raised but q par.
tial crop or no crop at all.
So know what You are planting abb
solutely Even with a perfect season
seed which tests 80 per cent Sof crop
and 20 per cent Of your seed. work
and land will be wasted. II the seed
tests but SO per cent half OF your seed,
labor and land Will be wasted. 4
This article may be alarming but
IT is Intended To be. The seed situation
is as bad a represented and possibly
worse. The Dakota Farmer has In.
yestiExsed very carefully and knows.