VALUE SEEL-TESTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20656, 30 August 1930, Page 20

VALUE SEEL-TESTING

ASSISTANCE TO FARM. DAY OF MODERN METHODS. ENSURING INCREASED RETURN. Owing tn (lie extent of (he development of world-wide competition in allien It nral production during tho past few years, the farmer has tn eliminate every element of chance in farming practices to strengthen his position in this struggle, writes Air. H. G. Elliott, assistant plant pathologist. Western Australia.

Tho modern farmer cannot uno tho out-of-dato methods which were excusahlo in the early days, for then the cost of production was less while competition wis negligible. Those obsolete methods should no longer be practised—conditions are different, prices of seed higher and labour more expensive; in fact, tho cost of production is greater in almost every respect, and consequently profits tend to diminish. An important factor in ensuring an increase of profits is the use of agricultural seeds of only good quality. This implies seed testing previous to buying or sowing.

The testing of seeds before sowing is bv no means an innovation in the history of agricultural progress. As early as 1869 the first Seed Control Station was initiated by Dr. Nobbo in Saxony, and since that time similar stations have gradually extended over Europe. European Stations Lead.

Two of tho most outstanding aro at Zurich (Switzerland) and Copenhagen (Denmark). These are regarded as the world's leading establishments in seed tasting and much valuable research work has been done at both. Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Now Zealand and Australia have also been t?sting seed to a greater or less extent for many years. They each have established one or more seed testing stations. Before thq introduction of seed testing, farmers knew very little about the quality of the seed they bought for sowing. Scientific methods for ascertaining their value were unknown, consequently they had to rely on simple unorthodox tests, such as appearance, smell, size and taste. These doubtful means of discrimination did not however, satisfactorily demonstrate their value, as that can only bo accurately determined by scientific testing. Percentage ol Purity.

It is essential for tho farmer to understand that a good sample of seed should contain the largest possible quantity of the seed of the plant desired for sowing, and consequently freedom from seeds of undesirable plants and inert matter such as chaff, soil particles, etc. —in other words as high a percentage of purity as can be obtained; combined with this the seed should be capable of vigorous growth, i.e., should have a high percentage of germination. It frequently occurs (and tho explanation often troubles the farmers) that, after spending much time and money they obtain very disappointing crops, accompanied by a good stand of weeds many of which may be new to their areas. They do not always realise that the fault may be in the seed sown, and that the only way to safeguard against this is to have all" tho need" which is bought tested, or only to buy guaranteed tested samples. The introduction of new weeds on to a farm is serious.