154 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



it is not American grown. In the case of some other seeds, notably radish and 

 cauliflower, tlio foreign grown seed is usually far superior to American grown, 

 and is depended on almost entirely. As there is at present 20 per cent duty 

 on seeds we do not use foreign seed, except in such cases as above where the 

 advantage in the quality and price is more than sufficient to balance. 



As a rough estiniate we should say that including those seeds wliich cannot 

 be obtained at all in this country, our importations amount to less than one- 

 third of our entire stock. Of this, less than one-tenth comes from Canada; 

 peas being about tlie only crop we get from there. Among those imported 

 largely are beet, broccoli, cabbage, early carrots, cauliflower, celery, cress, 

 egg plant, endive, leek, mustard, parsley, radish, spinach, Swade turnip. 

 Our views in regard to the tariff can perhaps be best understood from the 

 position we took before the tariff commission, and may be summed up in a. 

 few words: ' Better let it alone as it is.' 



"Many experiments in seed growing are now being tried in different parts of 

 the country, and in many cases with gratifying })rospects of success, so that it 

 seems quite probable tiiat within a few years localities can bv3 found where all 

 of these seeds which we are now obliged to import can be grown to advantage, 

 and of superior quality, in this country, and the present tariff seems fitted to 

 foster and encourage these experiments, while it is not sufficiently burdensome 

 to impau' the business." 



Peter Henderson says: "There is much to be said on both sides of the tariff 

 question relative to horticultural products. The seedsmen here in the east had 

 it pretty well discussed a few weeks ago when the tariff commission sat in New 

 York, and, with the exception of two of the Philadelphia seedsmen, came to 

 the conclusion that we had better leave it as it is, as we feared to tinker with 

 it, well knowing that when these matters are disturbed great inconvenience is 

 felt. Personally, I am strongly in favor of free trade in all things, believing 

 that in the market of the world, trade would soon right itself." 



I will here read from the report of the Department of Agriculture for 1878, 

 on page 572, from an article on " Localities Best Suited to Maturing Seed," 

 as being appropriate and perhaps interesting in this connection.* 



The wool-growers are about the only ])roducers from the soil who have taken 

 an active part in determining legislation in regard to their interests. These 

 are so manifestly improved by protection that there is but one stand for them 

 to take as a class. The effect of the tariff on other products is not always so 

 plain, particularly on horticultural products, and undoubtedly in some instan- 

 ces is no protection, neither a burden, but simply a source of revenue to the- 

 government. 



Take tiie case of some vegetables and fruits imported from Canada. The- 

 markets of the United States control the price, and the duties levied are so ■ 

 much obtained by our government from the producers of Canada, and do not. 

 add at all to the price for the consumer. 



If last year there had been no duty on potatoes, it would not, in my opin- 

 ion, have reduced the price in our own markets, at least not near to the extent 

 of tlie fifteen cents of duty. Of course, in taking this view of the case, we 

 must conclude the tariff on such products does not protect the grower here, 

 nor do I believe it does directly. Tlie politician who quotes the rate of duty on 

 wheat, or oats, or barley, or vegetable products, as so much protection to the 

 farmer is simply talking like a demagogue. 



• This nrliclc, rcferreil to, is by Peter Ucnilerson, cntlLleil " Locnhlies Best Suited for Maturing 

 Seed," is an HUuiirable exposition of the subject, full of practical iiiforuiaiion for ibe horticul- 

 turist.— sec. 



