16—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 2, 1972
Quality Crops Start
With Quality Seed
As you do your fall planting this
year, you’ll probably be putting a
higher quality of seed into the
ground.
Seed technology is keeping
pace with modern scientific
advances. Variety purity has
increased, weed seed content is
lower, and actual seed quality
has improved. Genetics research
is intensified and new
mechanical procedures make
handling smoother and more
efficient. To a large extent, seed
production is a highly specialized
industry.
But when you buy seed, it’s still
the same “you can’t tell a book by
its cover.” No matter how in
tently you examine a handful of
seed, you can’t tell how many
seeds will grow and how many
will not.
Don’t worry, though, because
someone has done the job for you.
Because of State seed laws and
the Federal Seed Act, enforced
by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and State Depart
ments of Agriculture, each sack
of seed must be labeled with
descriptive quality information.
Reading the label correctly is
up to you. It’s possible to find low
quality seed on the market, but
you can protect yourself by
checking the label.
Germination percentage is a
label requirement on all farm
seed. It’s determined by growing
seeds from each lot. Samples are
placed in special growth
chambers at private, com
mercial or State seed
laboratories. The number of
seeds that produce normal
sprouts is used to determine the
germination percentage assigned
to that lot.
The germination test date also
is required on seed labels. If the
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Box 1197 Oillerville Road
Lancaster, Pa.
Dail - 717-397-4954
test was made more than six
months ago, the germination
percentage may not be as high as
the label shows.
No matter how good the ger
mination percentage looks, check
the label again. There’s more to
be found. The seed content of
each sack of farm seed must be
broken down by percentage to
show the amount of pure seed,
other crop seed, weed seed and
inert matter, such as chaff.
Generally, noxious-weed seeds
must be listed by name and
number per pound.
Even with 85-percent ger
mination, a sack that contains
only 50-percent pure seed isn’t
doing you much good. And, if the
weed seed percentage is high,
you’re borrowing trouble.
Using the percent of pure seed
and the germination percentage,
you can figure how much you’re
paying for seed that is expected
FEATURING OUR SECURITY FREE STALL
lx;
We make a high Security Free Stall from high grade
boiler type steel that will last and last. A bedding board
is installed and the stall is elevated above the scrape
area. Extra floor space is given to each animal and a
maximum drinking area is provided. A step along the
feed trough allows easy access to the feed but prevents
manure from falling into the trough.
R. D. 1 Drumore Center, Quorryville, Pa.
• VAN DALE, INC.
• MADISON SILOS
CALEB M. WENGER, INC.
to grow. Multiply the two per
centages and divide the result
into the price per pound. The
answer is the amount you’re
paying per pound for pure ger
minating seed. It’s an easy way
to compare seed so you know
you’re getting your money’s
worth.
Another label requirement is
the name and address of the
seller or shipper. It tells you
whom to contact if you question
the quality or labeling of the seed.
You may find two other
designations on the package,
treated and certified.
If seed is treated with a
pesticide, required treatment
labeling is your ticket to caution.
Keep the seed clearly labeled and
out of reach of both children and
animals. Don’t handle he seed
any more than necessary, and get
rid of extra seed by burying it in
SOLAIR BARNS
DISTRIBUTORS FOR:
small amounts deep in the
ground.
Certified seed must meet
quality standards. The cer
tification program is ad
ministered by the state
agriculture department,
agricultural college or grower’s
association, depending on the
state. The growing crop must
pass field inspection.- Seed
samples must be sent to the
proper State agency for testing.
Once certified, this seed may
bring premium prices because of
its genetic purity. Many states
also have purity and germination
standards for certified seed.
Enforcement of label
AERIAL UDDER EQUIP!.
FARM PAINTERS
BRUNING QUALITY PAINT
WE SPRAY IT ON AND BRUSH IT IN.
Cail Now For Free Estimates
HENRY K. FISHER
2322 Old Phi la. Pike
La ncaster, Pa. 17602 Phone 717-393-6530
8" Bedding-/ /y
S'* retainer Retainer' V
1.,
• VAUGHAN « PAMLINE
• MECHANIZED FEED LOT SYSTEMS
Security Stall
'Extra scraper
—. ■-■ - ——xclearapce
All welded Joints
'2 u x6 n ' Header board
2V* Boiler tube
regulations is accomplished by
state seed agencies. When seed is
shipped across state lines,
correct labeling is enforced by
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing
Service in cooperation with state
seed agencies. State inspectors
make spot checks of seed from
retail outlets. The samples they
take are tested in the state seed
labs to confirm proper labeling.
If a mislabeled product is
found, the violator can be
prosecuted. While it’s impossible
to test every seed lot, the threat
of prosecution and the com
petition between seed companies
gives you reasonable assurance
that the seed you buy will not be
mislabeled.
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///
Phone 549-2116