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in the " permanent pasture " class by means of the ultra-violet-light test. To date, approximately 100,000 bushels of seed have been accepted under this test, an increase of 150 per cent, on the corresponding figure for the previous harvest. Cocksfoot. —An increase is occurring in the area of cocksfoot offered for certification which was sown with seed of pedigree strain. In general, however, the replacement of the natural strain cannot be rapid, due to the very permanent nature of the seed-producing particularly those of the Akaroa Peninsula. It is expected that the cocksfoot harvest will again be light, the result of seasonal conditions existing. Brown-top.—Following upon an exceptionally high production of 270 tons in the previous season, the crop of certified brown-top fell to 125 tons in 1940. Here, again, the smaller production was a seasonal matter, and cannot be taken as any criterion of a trend towards a reduced harvesting or brown-top seed. Italian Rye-grass.—The area of Italian rye-grass to be saved for seed-production continues to increase, as the following figures show : — 1938-39 .. .. •• •■ • • • • •■ 800 1939-40 .. .. •• •• •• i' 3so 1940-41 .. .. •• •• •• •• 3.800 These areas are all of a strain imported into New Zealand several years ago and distributed through the certification scheme to farmers. A reselected strain is now almost ready for release into commerce, and it is expected that it will rapidly replace the strain at present under certification, which, nevertheless, has served an extremely useful purpose in improving the quality of Italian rye-grass seed in this country. Montgomery Red Clover.—Lower seed yields in the 1940 season contributed to a decrease in the production of certified Montgomery red-clover seed in the past year, despite a considerable increase in the acreage harvested. The present season is not sufficiently far advanced to enable any conclusions to be drawn regarding this season's seed crop, but the acreage entered for certification shows an increase of over 50 per cent, on the entries for 1939-40. Seed Wheat. —Considerable restrictions have been made in the scope of the seed-wheat certification scheme for the 1940-41 season, as it was considered that this scheme was one which could be most easily curtailed, thus relieving instructors for work associated with linen-flax production. Incidentally, in general those officers engaged in wheat certification were those also to be engaged largely in connection with linen flax. The basis of the restrictions was to limit eligibility of entry to those crops of close affinity to material reselected by the Agronomy Division of the Plant Research Bureau. Though the curtailment may be considered as of a temporary nature, it is quite sound m theory, while"in practice it has reduced the acreage to be inspected for certification to one-fifth of that inspected in the previous season, whereas the total quantity of seed to be finally sealed and tagged is expected to be at least half of that similarly treated in the 1939-40 season. In view of the fact that comment has been made in the past in regard to the excessive quantities of certified seed wheat available, this restriction is not likely materially to affect the general standard of New Zealand s wheat crops. The important feature of the season's operations has been the supply of some 10,000 bushels of the new variety " Fife-Tuscan," a wheat bred to replace the present Solid Straw Tuscan because of its superior yielding-capacity. Seed Potatoes. —A further reduction is recorded in the acreage entered for certification purposes. The total in 1940-41 was 2,750 acres, against a corresponding figure of 2,900 acres in the previous season. Without closer investigation one can only suppose that the entire absence of stability in the potato-market over the past three years has had its effect in the acreage being planted and offered for certification purposes. The scheme continues to serve an extremely useful purpose, however. One has only to compare the resultant crops from certified and uncertified seed respectively to realize the great value of planting seed potatoes carrying some guarantee in regard to cropping propensities. Onion-seed. —Onion-seed is being certified for the first time this season, 15 acres to 20 acres being under supervision for this purpose. Attention to the quality of onion-seed being sown commercially in this country is already showing a return in that, because of the general improvement in keepingquality of last year's onion crop, it was found possible to supply the New Zealand market throughout the year with locally-grown onions, thus eliminating the necessity of imports, an action common in previous yeai;s. Other Seeds.—ln addition to the foregoing, the following seeds have also come under the scheme of seed certification in the 1940-41 season : — (1) White Clover : Certification of this seed has proceeded along the same lines as in the past and with similar results : (2) Phalaris tuberosa : Small quantities of this pasture seed have again been certified, though problems in regard to seed yields and germination continue to restrict any possibility of extension : (3) Broad Bed Clover: This seed has again come under certification, but an expansion of the quantity certified largely depends on the release of a strain superior in quality to present commercial lines.

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