SubTitle22-59-1_22-59-14. Connecticut Seed Law  


Sec. 22-59-1. Sampling, inspecting, analyzing, testing and examining agricultural and vegetable seed, and tolerances to be followed
Latest version.

The terms used in seed testing and methods of sampling, inspecting, analyzing, testing and examining agricultural and vegetable seeds, and the tolerances to be followed * * * in the administration of chapter 424 of the general statutes shall be those adopted effective July 1, 1955, and as subsequently amended, by the Association of Official Seed Analysts * * * .

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-1a. Grower's declaration
Latest version.

A grower's declaration is a statement signed by the grower giving, for any lot of seed, the lot number, the kind, variety, origin and weight.

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-2. Agricultural experiment station to be seed-testing laboratory
Latest version.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station shall be the official seed-testing laboratory.

Sec. 22-59-3. Standards of germination for vegetable seeds
Latest version.

The standards of germination for vegetable seeds in this state shall be those standards provided for by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. They are as follows:

Per cent

Per cent

Artichokes

60

Endive

70

Asparagus

70

Kale

75

Beans, * * * asparagus

75

Kohlrabi

75

Beans, garden

Leek

60

(varieties other than Rival, Topcrop and Logan)

Lettuce

80

75

Muskmelon

75

Beans, garden,

Mustard

75

(varieties Rival, Topcrop and Logan)

70

Mustard, spinach

75

Okra

50

Beans, horde or broad

75

Onion

70

Beans, lima

70

Pak-choi

75

Beans, runner

75

Parsley

60

Beets

65

Parsnips

60

Broccoli

75

Peas

80

Brussels Sprouts

70

Pepper

55

Cabbage

75

Pe-tsai or Chinese cabbage

75

Cardoon

60

Pumpkin

75

Carrot

55

Radish

75

Cauliflower

75

Rhubarb

60

Celery and celeriac

55

Rutabaga

75

Chicory

65

Salsify

75

Citron

65

Sorrell

64

Collards

80

Soybean

75

Corn * * *

75

Spinach (except New Zealand)

60

Cornsalad (Fetticus)

70

Spinach, New Zealand

40

Cowpea

75

Squash

75

Cress, garden

75

Swiss Chard

65

Cress, water

40

Tomato

75

Cucumber

80

Tomato, husk

50

Dandelion

60

Turnip

80

Eggplant

60

Watermelon

70

Standards for vegetable seeds are subject to change. This department will furnish information on changes upon request.

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-4. Seeds on retail premises to bear analysis tag
Latest version.

All agricultural and vegetable seeds on the premises of a retail merchant shall bear the complete analysis tag as prescribed by law.

(See 1963 Supp. § 22-56.)

Sec. 22-59-5. Label to show secondary noxious weed seeds present
Latest version.

The label on all mixtures shall show the name and number of the secondary noxious weed seeds present, singly or collectively, in excess of one seed in each fifteen grams.

(See 1963 Supp. § 22-56.)

Sec. 22-59-6. Certain seeds deleted from noxious weeds
Latest version.

(a) The seeds of * * * bed straw (Galium spp.) * * * may be deleted from the list of * * * prohibited noxious weeds in lawn grass mixtures. (b) The seeds of dock (Rumex spp.) except red sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.) may be deleted from the list of restricted noxious weeds in lawn seed mixtures. (c) The seeds of Plantago spp. other than broadleaf plantain (Plantago major), blackseed plantain (Plantago rugelii) and buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata) may be deleted from the list of restricted noxious weeds in lawn grass mixtures. (d) The seeds of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) may be deleted from the list of restricted noxious weeds in lawn grass mixtures when it is listed on the label as a component crop seed and the percentage by weight and the percentage of germination is shown.

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-7. Seeds germinating below standard
Latest version.

Vegetable seeds that germinate below the prescribed standard shall be marked on the face of the packet or on the face of the analysis tag, in a manner not less legible than eight point, open bold face type, with the words "Below Standard" enclosed in a box.

Sec. 22-59-8. Seeds containing primary noxious weeds prohibited
Latest version.

Agricultural seeds containing primary noxious weeds are prohibited from sale.

(See 1963 Supp. §§ 22-55 (e) (1); 27-57 (a) (4).)

Sec. 22-59-8a. Prohibited noxious weed seeds
Latest version.

The following list of prohibited noxious weed seed is established, effective November 1, 1963: The seeds of bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L.), quackgrass (Agropyron repens L. Beauv.), horse nettle (Solanum carolnense L.), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.) dodder (Cuscuta spp.), Russian knagweed (Centaurea repens L.), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) and bedstraw (Galium spp.)

(See 1963 Supp. §§ 92-55(e)(1); 22-57(a)(4).)

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-8b. Restricted noxious weed seeds
Latest version.

The following list of restricted noxious weed seeds is established effective November 1, 1963: Seeds of dock (Rumex spp.) plantain (Plantago spp.), Wild mustards (Brassica spp.), white cockle (Lychnis alba Mill.), yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris R. Br.), annual bluegrass (Poe annua L.), and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.).

(See 1963 Supp. §§ 22-55 (e) (2); 22-57 (a) (6).)

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-9. Label lettering
Latest version.

The term "labeling" shall be interpreted as meaning that the lettering used to cover information required by law shall be large and legible enough so as not to be obscured by other type or illustrations used. Where any question of doubt arises, samples of proposed containers or labels may be submitted to the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources for approval.

Sec. 22-59-9a. Labeling of seed prior to distribution
Latest version.

After seed has been processed, it shall be labeled before distribution to any person, including a wholesaler. Each bag or bulk lot shall be completely labeled when supplied to a retailer or consumer. Labeling of seed supplied to a wholesaler, one whose predominant business is to supply seed to other distributors rather than to consumers of seed, may be by invoice or by an analysis tag attached to the invoice, if each bag or other container is clearly identified by a lot number stenciled on the container, or if the seed is in bulk. Each bag or container that is not so identified shall carry complete labeling.

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-9b. White sweet clover
Latest version.

Sweet clover seed containing more than five per cent of yellow sweet clover seed (more than one and one-quarter per cent of mottled seeds) shall not be labeled white sweet clover. Such seed shall be labeled as an agricultural seed mixture.

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-9c. Poison label
Latest version.

Seed treated with a mercurial or similarly toxic substance, if any amount remains with the seed, shall be labeled to show a statement such as "Poison," "Poison treated" or "Treated with Poison." The word "Poison" shall be in type no smaller than eight point and shall be in red letters on a distinctly contrasting background. In addition, the label shall show a representation of a skull and crossbones at least twice the size of the type used for the name of the substance and the statement indicating that the seed has been treated.

(Effective October 29, 1963)

Sec. 22-59-10. Free tests of samples
Latest version.

Any citizen of Connecticut may send samples for tests or analysis up to a maximum of five samples for germination tests, or one sample for purity analysis, within a given calendar month. The results of these free tests cannot be used for declaration of sales or for labeling purposes.

Sec. 22-59-11. Connecticut grades for lawn seed mixtures
Latest version.

(a) Conn. grade AA or Conn. gold seal, grade AA shall contain: (1) Not less than seventy-five per cent net weight of pure seed from Group I, except that, if a mixture in this grade is to be sold for a special purpose, such as seeding shady places, steep banks, etc., it shall contain at least seventy-five per cent of seed of grasses reasonably adapted for that particular use. In such cases, seed from Group II may be substituted for seed from Group I; (2) not more than nineteen per cent net weight of pure seed for Group III (Red Top or annual rye grass only may be used as a nurse grass in this grade.); (3) not more than five and six-tenths per cent by weight of inert matter; (4) not more than four-tenths of one per cent by weight of weed seed.

(b) Connecticut grade A or Connecticut blue seal grade A shall contain: (1) Not less than sixty-five per cent net weight of pure seed from Group I, except that, if a mixture in this grade is to be sold for a special purpose, such as seeding shady places, steep banks, etc., it shall contain at least sixty-five per cent of seed of grasses reasonably adapted for that particular use. In such cases, seed from Group II may be substituted for seed from Group I; (2) not more than twenty-nine per cent net weight of pure seed from Group III; (3) not more than five and six-tenths per cent by weight of inert matter; (4) not more than four-tenths of one per cent by weight of weed seed.

(c) Connecticut grade B or Connecticut red seal grade B shall contain: (1) Not less than fifty per cent net weight of pure seed from Group I, except that, if a mixture in this grade is to be sold for a special purpose, such as seeding shady places, steep banks, etc., it shall contain at least fifty per cent of seed of grasses reasonably adapted for that particular use. In such cases, seeds from Group II may be substituted for seed from Group I; (2) not more than forty per cent net weight of pure seed from Group III; (3) not more than nine and one-tenth per cent by weight of inert matter; (4) not more than nine-tenths of one per cent by weight of weed seed.

Sec. 22-59-12. General requirements for officially graded lawn grass mixtures
Latest version.

(a) Lawn grass mixtures shall contain no filler grasses.

(b) When the inert matter and/or weed seed is less than the maximum allowance for these grades, additional seed from Group III may be added to make up that discrepancy.

(c) Any lot of lawn seed mixture found on sale labeled as a Conn. graded mixture or otherwise represented as such which fails to meet specifications shall be deemed to be misbranded and its sale prohibited.

Sec. 22-59-13. Labeling and sealing of containers
Latest version.

(a) Graded lawn seed grass mixtures labeled as such shall be sold in sealed containers (pasteboard containers, sealed bags, sealed cans, etc.).

(b) The latitude of variation or tolerance on samples tested for germination and purity shall be in accordance with the following, except that there will be no tolerance on germination for graded mixtures:

(1) Purity percentages. In the determination of the tolerance for the percentage of the distinguishable kind, type or variety (pure seed), weed seeds, other crop seeds and inert matter, the sample shall be first considered as made up of two parts: (A) The percentage of the component (pure seed, weed seed, crop seed or inert matter, as the case may be) being considered, and (B) the difference between that percentage and one hundred. The number represented by (A) is then multiplied by the number represented by (B) and the product is divided by one hundred. The resulting number is then multiplied by 0.2 (2/10) and the resulting product added to 0.2 or 0.6 as indicated in the following formulae:

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(2) Germination. The following tolerances are applicable to the percentage of germination and also to the sum of the germination plus the hard seed:

Found by test:

Tolerance

96 or over

5

90 or over but less than 96

6

80 or over but less than 90

7

70 or over but less than 80

8

60 or over but less than 70

9

Less than 60

10

(c) Violation of any of the above provisions will result in cancellation of the certificate of registry and withdrawal of the registry number.

Sec. 22-59-14. Labeling of lawn seed mixture
Latest version.

"Fine Textured" kinds of grasses for the purposes of labeling, under section 22-56 of the 1969 supplement to the general statutes, is amended as follows:

Bent Grasses:

Agrostis tenuis (Colonial)

Agrostis palustris (Creeping)

Agrostis canina (Velvet)

Bluegrasses:

Poa trivialis (Rough Bluegrass)

Poa pratensis (Kentucky)

Poa nemoralis (Wood)

Poa compressa (Canada)

Fescues:

Festuca rubra var commutata (Chewings)

Festuca rubra (Red)

Festuca ovina (Sheep)

Perennial Rye Grasses: Lolium perenne L. (varieties NK-100, Norlea, Pelo, andManhattan).

"Coarse Kinds"(including legumes and ground covers) shall be all kinds not named above.

(Effective September 23, 1969)