244 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



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It is generally less expensive to grow vegetables late in the season, 

 especially those that require starting under glass in order to reach 

 the market early. But when there is an attempt to secure earliness, 

 there should be no neglect of any matter that will hasten maturity. 

 A great deal of produce commands low prices because of improper 

 grading, packing and marketing. Then again, good business methods 

 are not always employed in the selling of produce. All of these 

 questions are important factors and will be discussed later. 



ESSENTIAL. PRINCIPLES. 



Men who fail to get satisfactory results in market gardening 

 seldom possess a proper knowledge of the underlying principles. 

 Without this knowledge it is impossible to operate with any assur- 

 ance of success. Without a knowledge of principles, the business 

 is a source of constant worry because the cultivator does not know 

 whether he is doing the right thing at the right time and in the right 

 way. With a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles, 

 the gardener is reasonably certain of success, provided he is a good 

 business man and possesses executive ability. 



THE SEED QUESTION. 



Producers of all kinds of farm crops are just beginning to realize 

 the full importance of using high grade seeds. Earliness, yield and 

 quality are largely dependent upon the character of the seed used. 

 Authough a few gardeners know the value of superior seeds, the 

 majority of them have not given the question careful and intelligent 

 consideration. If the seed germinates properly they are usually 

 satisfied, and with many growers, the vitality or viability of the seed 

 is practically the only factor considered, while this is only one of 

 several important elements that enter into the question of seed 

 selection. 



The seed itself may possess high germinating qualities and yet 

 give very unsatisfactory results so far as the matured crop is con- 

 cerned. Good seed means much more than a high percentage of 

 germination. With proper care of the plantation, good seed will 

 produce a crop satisfactory in every particular. The resultant crop 

 will not be satisfactory unless the variety is true to name, and the 

 best results will not be procured unless the variety represents a 

 well bred strain. There is often more difference between strains of 

 the same variety than between varieties of the same vegetable. It 

 is obvious to all intelligent cultivators that the use of high bred 

 vegetable seeds is just as important as the breeding and raising of 

 high grade farm animals. 



High class vegetable seeds may be secured in three ways, viz: 

 From reliable dealers or seedmen. from special growers of select 

 seeds and from selections made at home. Each method has distinct 

 merits. 



When seeds are purchased from dealers it is generally safest to 

 buy from the introducers. Nearly every large firm exercises special 

 care in the breeding of certain varieties of vegetables that they 

 have introduced. They pride themselves upon the merits of these 

 varieties and special efforts are made to maintain or to intensify the 

 qualities which make them valuable. It is natural for seedmen to 

 take the most interest in varieties of special merit which they have 



