76 



HORTICULTURE 



July 15, 1911 



Seed Trade 



The Seedsmen's Convention. 

 Seed trade matters have been some- 

 what neglected for the past few weeks, 

 and the proceedings of the Seeds- 

 men's Convention were not reported 

 as fully as the importance of the mat- 

 ters considered deserved. Many of 

 the papers are worthy of being care- 

 fully read and studied, while others 

 not of a technical character deserve 

 special mention because of their treat- 

 ment of matters of general interest 

 to all including the ladies and those 

 not personally identified with the seed 

 business. Such a paper was that of 

 Edgar Gregory, giving in brief and 

 almost statistical form a history_ of 

 Marblehead. Many of the historical 

 places mentioned by him were visited 

 by members and their friends whose 

 interest was aroused by his paper. 



The President's address contained a 

 number of practical and useful sugges- 

 tions and their importance may be 

 appreciated when it is learned that a 

 special committee appointed to con- 

 sider them, recommended the adoption 

 of all. Mr. Page has set an example 

 which his successors will no doubt be 

 willing to follow in their annual ad- 

 dresses—more of a specific and practi- 

 cal character, and less generalization. 

 Like practically all similar organiza- 

 tions, the American Seed Trade Asso- 

 ciation annually appoints a number of 

 committees to work along certain 

 lines in the interests of the Associa- 

 tion, and these committees are expect- 

 ed to submit the results together with 

 such recommendations as they may 

 consider wise, at the next annual con- 

 vention. While some few always sub- 

 mit a report many others do not, 

 which is unfortunate as most of the 

 subjects claiming attention are Impor- 

 tant to the interests and prosperity of 

 the seed trade as a whole 



The question box was revived at 

 this convention and many pertinent 

 and practical questions were asked, 

 not all of which received convincing or 

 satisfactory answers. Of technical 

 papers, those of Prof. Wheeler of 

 Rhode Island, and Dr. Woods of Maine 

 easily took the lead. 



A new feature, and one which seems 

 to have been greatly appreciated, was 

 the reading of telegraphic crop re- 

 ports at the Thursday morning ses- 

 sion Whoever this innovation is to 

 be credited to deserves a vote of 

 thanks, as the comments were unani- 

 mously appreciative. This ought to be 

 an important feature of every future 

 convention, and should be extended 

 to include cabled reports from the 

 leading European seed growers. 



Crop News. 

 Crop news is not of a rosy charac- 

 ter, and there has been considerable 

 change in conditions in the brief in- 

 terval since the convention, mainly of 

 an unsatisfactory nature, but even 

 now nothing definite can be said ot 

 any item, not even peas, which will 

 require several weeks more to reach 

 maturity, and during which time much 

 damage may befall the crop as a 

 whole, while it has reached such a 

 stage of development that but little 

 time is left for improvement. From 

 information at hand, we believe har- 



vesting of Alaskas and the Extra Early 

 varieties will begin between July -15th 

 and 20th, but it will be some weeks 

 vet before the late varieties will be 

 harvested. Doubtless some- sort of es- 

 timate of the earlies will be possible 

 within a few weeks, but anything ap- 

 proaching definite percentages will 

 not be possible before September or 

 October. Enough is known to make 

 it clear that the pea crop as a whole 

 has suffered quite serious damage, 

 particularly in view of the intense 

 heat of the past weeks. 



Some Pea Advice. 



Anyone who is on the short side on 

 peas should cover if possible, and not 

 quibble over prices, as any figures 

 quoted now may look low in a few 

 weeks' time. We offered this advice 

 last year and those who followed it 

 had reason to be thankful. The trou- 

 ble we apprehend will be to secure 

 offerings from reliable growers, and 

 right here we warn all against buying 

 from and but well known and repu- 

 table sources. Don't be tempted by 

 attractive prices or samples. The 

 leading experts of the world cannot 

 state with confidence what the crop 

 will be by a sample of seed, and we 

 don't use the word, "crop" in the sense 

 of quantity, but of quality and charac- 

 ter. Many seedsmen and canners who 

 were tempted by low prices from un- 

 known or questionable sources have 

 chewed the cud of repentance ever 

 since and assert with great vigor, 

 "never again!" Let us hope not. 



Government Crop Report. 



The last Government crop report in- 

 dicates quite accurately the general 

 crop situation, not only affecting 

 grains and potatoes, but practically all 

 crops east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 This report shows that field corn has 

 been severely injured, that a continua- 

 tion of the heat and drouth another 

 week or ten days would be really dis- 

 astrous. We may be sure that if field 

 corn is suffering to this extent it must 

 be at least as bad with sweet corn and 

 in all probability the latter has suf- 

 fered worse damage than the former. 

 Vine seeds have unquestionably suf- 

 fered severe damage, although we 

 have been unable to get anything of 

 an authentic character up to this writ- 

 ing. We should like to be optimistic, 

 but due regard for the truth and the 

 facts compels us to state that the out- 

 look at the present time is about as 

 discouraging for seedsmen's crops as 

 they have ever been at this time of 

 year. Of course, California products 

 "are an exception, and, barring sweet 

 peas, the crop situation in California 

 is fairly satisfactory. 



comment on the outlook for potatoes, 

 which according to the Government 

 report is the lowest in a quarter of a 

 century. In many of the western 

 states the crop is a virtual failure, 

 and it looks now as if a dollar a 

 bushel for eating stock will not be 

 considered high next fall. 



Important! 



With further reference to the New 

 York seed bill, we are advised by M. 

 H. Duryea that the bill has been 

 passed by both the Assembly and the 

 Senate and now awaits the signature 

 of the Governor. Any protests on the 

 bill should be filed immediately with 

 Governor Dix at Albany. 



It is hoped that all the New York 

 seedsmen will protest vigorously. 



Personal. 



R. Nicholson is no longer connected 

 with the Texas Seed and Floral Co., 

 Dallas, Texas. 



Walter Mott has taken a position 

 as traveling salesman for Wm. Elliott 

 & Sons, New York. 



A. T .Boddington and family of 

 New York have taken a cottage at 

 Nantucket, Mass., for the summer. 



Miss Mabel Grey, daughter of 

 Thomas J. Grey, and bookkeeper in 

 her father's seed store in Boston, was 

 married on Wednesday, July 5, to 

 George Ernest Martin. 



Notes. 



Munford, Ala. — The Street Seed and 

 Stock Farm Co. has been incorporated, 

 capital stock $10,000. J. C. Street, 

 George J. Street and Anne D. Street, 

 incorporators. 



Shenandoah, la.— At the annual 

 meeting of the Henry Field Seed Co., 

 held July 1, a dividend of 9 per cent 

 was declared and the following officers 

 elected: Henry Field, re-elected presi- 

 dent and general manager; A. L. P. 

 Thompson, vice-president; H. E. 

 Eaton, secretary and treasurer. The 

 old directors were re-elected and A. 

 M. Eldridge was elected to fill the va- 

 cancy which has existed for a year. 



VEGETABLE PLANTS 



CABBAGE, Wakefield, All Head, Succes- 

 sion, and other varieties, $1.00 per 

 1000; 10.000 and over, @85c. per 1000. 



LETTUCE, Grand Rapids, Big Boston, 

 Boston Market and Tennis Ball, $1.00 

 per 1000; 10,000 and over, @85c. per 

 1000. 



BEET, Cro»by, Egyptian and Eclipse, 



$1.25 per 1000. 



Cash With Order 



.R. VINCENT, JR. & SONS CO., WHITE WURSH. m.j 



The European Situation. 



Nothing new regarding the Euro- 

 pean situation has come to hand and 

 probablv there will be little change in 

 the news until after the crops are har- 

 vested, when something definite will 

 be known. As "hope springs eternal." 

 we must continue to hope for the best 

 and trust that the final result will not 

 be as discouraging as present condi- 

 tions indicate. 



Potatoes Fail. 

 By the way, we have neglected to 



Metal Rose Markers 



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Paper and wooden markers soon become 

 illegible. Send for samples and prices. 



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