SEED TESTING

Opunake Times, 24 February 1933, Page 1

SEED TESTING

WORTHY OF ATTENTION. The subject of seed-testing is regarded on the Continent as deserving of the very closest attention of farmers. It is widely recognised that it is not a little foolish to sow seeds that are not of the right kind, that are not certain to grow under suitable conditions, or that contain numerous weed seeds to add to the large quantities already present in the soil. Apart from the loss that may be due to trouble of that kind, however, fanners are like other people in not wishing to pay for what thev do not receive. If a sample of seeds contains only 85 per cent of the seed desired, and of these only 80 per cent will grow under the most favourable conditions, then the purchaser only receives GBlb. cf pure genninable seeds for every -4001 b he buys. If, on the other hand, the seeds are 95 per cent, pure and of the pure seed 95 per cent will grow, the purchaser receives 90.251 b. of genninable seed for every 1001 b. purchased. If the first sample costs 100 s and the second sample 110 s, it is a simple calculation to show that it is far better to buy the second sample.