374 STATE POMOLOCHCAL SOCIETY. 



greater part of these seeds sown here are for raising vegetables to 

 ])e consumed as snch, and it is an established fact that northern 

 grown seeds are vastK superior to those grown either in the south 

 or west. The onion, for instance, for the seed of which any farmer 

 would latlu-r i)ay a dollar a i)ound for Maine grown seed than fifty 

 cents for the same variety gi-own in Pennsylvania. Tlie same holds 

 good with other kinds, but probably not to so great an extent. 



Our State has a good reputation for all its products in the south, 

 west, and even across the Atlantic. AVherever you find them they 

 almost invariably lead the market. The same might be said of 

 her vegetable seeds, but they must first be grown and put in the 

 market. 



The demand for garden seeds is increasing vear bv vear and more 

 are raised to meet this demand ; and why should not Maine increase 

 her product? The time was, and that not many years since, when 

 ]Maine produced all the seed sown within her borders, and it ought 

 to be the case now. But go into our seed stores, — go into the coun- 

 try store on the cross roads throughout the State, and ask to be 

 shown some vegetable seeds, — and how man}' will show you Maine 

 grown seeds? Very, very few. I presume there are as man}' seeds 

 raised in our State as formerly ; but as the demand increased, our 

 seedsmen were obliged to get their full supplies from other States. 



It might not pay each farmer to raise seeds and put them up in 

 small retail packages ; but there are several seedsmen in the State 

 that do a wholesale business, and willingly pay a remunerative price 

 for good seed, but cannot always get a supply without going abroad. 

 But to be successful, we must start with good, reliable seeds, and 

 varieties for which there is a demand. Then for seed raising, 

 reserve only the very best, and thus we ma}' be improving the 

 variety ever}' year. 



For winter storage for roots intended to be set in the spring, 

 generally a good amount can be stored in the cellar ; but for those 

 who lack such room and even those who do not, a very convenient 

 way is to dig pits on or near the plot of ground to be planted, pro- 

 viding it is well drained, for this is most essential. They need not 

 necessarily be very deep, two feet will answer as well as deeper, for 

 the roots may be heaped up and covered with straw, chaff, ever- 

 green boughs, or anything of like nature, with the soil thrown over 

 all to the depth of a foot or more, and they will come out in the 

 spring in prime condition. The onion need not be pitted, but can 



