METHOD OF SEED TESTING

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 21 November 1923, Page 10

METHOD OF SEED TESTING

The importance of seed testing in the economics of agriculture is receiving increasing attent ion. For a long time it has been felt that it would be desirable to publish some form of handbook on the theory and practice of seed testing for the use of seed analysts and agricultural students. Pending a full treatment of the subject, a .leaflet has been issued to put before private analysts the methods used at the Official Seed Testing Station, so that they may be in a position to adopt the same methods. The object being entirely practical, no attempt has been made to discuss in the papers the theoretical considerations upon which seed testing is based. The leaflet issued by the National Institute of Agrii ultolid Botany at Cambridge goes on to say ; There is at present much variety in the methods and apparatus used by different analysts. This is due to the fact that every station, official or prix - ate, is constantly experimenting in order to get optimum results. hilst this is in general to be commended, it must at the same time be recognised that for trade purposes consistency of results and unuormity as between independent analysts is of more importance than, the obtaining of optimum results. The English Offiical Station has come to a very considerable degree of agreement with the Official Stations lor Scotland and Northern’ Ireland, and, while it is recognised that every private station may not be in a position to adopt new methods in order to fall into line, it is suggested that if the new methods set out in it are followed in general outline, a very decided step towards uniformity of result will be obtained. > It then goes on to discuss the whole matter under the three heads of sample tailing, parity examination and germination testing. The leaflet published I-• the Institute at a shilling is worth obtaining if merely for criticism and comparison with N<ew Zealand experience in this aspect o! agricultural botany.