GRASS AND CLOVER SEEDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 7

GRASS AND CLOVER SEEDS.

The following extract from a letter, ad-drrts-ed to a tirm in the feed trade in Dunedin by one of their customers, has been kindly placed at our disposal for publication if deemed advisable. The writer says:— " On testing tho samples of clover seeds you kindly sent to rue, I found that your white clovers did not stand the test well, as a good proportion did not spring at all. The cowgrass was not so bad. The seed ex Arawa was the best in the cocksfoot, but there is a good deal of goose grass —ji large, coarse grass which makes the cocksfoot weigh. I may say I have tested several samples of white clover from Invercargill and Mataura, and they all seem bad this season. Now, if yon can send me a good sample (tested) of English white clover, let me have," — and here followed an order for clover and grass seeds. In conclusion the writer adds :— " Your prices are moderate, and I don't object to a little more on the white clover, if really good and fresh. It strikes me that a good deal of old seed is flying around this season." The foregoing very aptly illustrates the course of business in the seed trade for some time past. Not 5 percent, of the customers are guided in making their purchases by what should be the primary consideration — viz., quality —and, consequently, respectable firms, unless expressly otherwise instructed, are in a manner compelled to go with the current, and supply at low prices seeds of corresponding quality. Were farmers generally to follow the example of the writer of the letter above, they would soon convince themselves that low-priced seeds are not only foul, as a rule, but the percentage that will germinate is far below tho. recognised standard. In our experience this entails a difficulty which presents itself repeatedly, and which we may properly refer to here. Inquiries are frequently made through the " Notes and Queries " column of this journal regarding the proper quantities of clovers and grasses of various kinds to be used in seeding land. The information supplied is invariably based on the understanding that the seeds are pure and vigorous. If otherwise, it would be necessary to largely increase the quantities to secure a good sole of grass, and to specify the proportions under the circumstances would be a matter of guess work. As an illustration of the relative values of prime and inferior seeds, we recently were -hown two samples of white clovers! No. 1 was pure and clean, and, as per test, new and remarkably vigorous, tfo. 2 was a fair average sample of the quality niosi in demand, but perceptibly inferior to Xo. I. The selling prices were, for Mo. 1, lid porlb : and for No. 2, 7M i-er lb. Tin 1 first is only sought for by occasional bu\ ors, aud leaves I he veufors a very narrow margin of profit, -while the inferior quality is bought extensively, and pays the importers faiily well. Tho firm, it is fair to state, have no hesitation in explaining to ' intending pur.-.habor.s thut. the high priced is in reality tho chopper seed. One pound of it will will provido a more abundant, and certainly a far more vigorous, plant than l^lb of tho inferior quality, and without the risk of sowing spurious seeds. Long' ;\^>.) it was remarked of the colonial seed markets by a writer on agricultural subjects : — "A large proportion of seeds put upon the marked are impure, and mixed with weeds. These, to the owner of new or clean land, would be dear ai a gift." That the grievous consequences resulting from the persistent use ot impure seeds are everywhere still apparent is simply because cheapness tison the farmer's paib the fust consideration. As a sequel to the above, we publish an extract from a letter subsequently addressed by their constituent to the firm above referred to, and in reply to a communication from them advising the purchase of superior seed. Extract — "1 will take the superior seed, as you advise. I have been always in the habit of testing all small seeds for years past, and can fully endorse all you say about them ; thisyear has been the worst of all. Appearance to the farmer is nothing to go by in small seeds, and of several samples, your own included, I have not tested a good, vigorous growth of white clover. The cowgrass is not so bad ; the sample, ex Deva, though high in price, was not so good as that ex s.s. Arawa, which was the best quality I have tested this season. I said in my letter that I would take ex Arawa, but if you hare a better send it. I feel strongly on this seed market question, and have often advocated a consulting chemist for the farmers, as we are robbed both in seeds and manures. We must have the Home style. I was glad to see a very good article in the Witness 'this week regarding seeds. A common remark among farmers is, ' Have you bought your seeds ? ' 1 Yes, I got them from A. B. (the country store), white clover, at 9d : cowgrase, same price.' 'Oh wants lOd ; ' but not a word about tests ; oh no." We publish the following quotations, with the explanation that in both cases the seeds . were represented to be pure and good : — Country Stors jn the Colony. London. White Clover ... 67s 6d to 73s 76s Cowgrass „. 62s Kns Alsike ... 65s 6d to 70s 62b 6d

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