STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 189 



But every man to his trade and the few thoughts I shall pre- 

 sent shall be from the standpoint of a seedsman. 



We all concede the great importance of good seeds, and we all 

 appreciate the disappointment which often results in not getting 

 them. 



In purchasing an article of clothing we can examine its text- 

 ure and satisfy ourselves as to its quality, and there are tests, 

 which will determine the value of any article of merchandise 

 except seeds for which the only test is that of time. 



This very fact has attracted to the seed trade many unworthy 

 men who take advantage, not only of the facilities which are 

 thus offered for deception, but find ready excuses for the failure 

 of their seeds, in the circumstances of '* injudicious planting and 

 cultivation, unfavorable weather attending their growth," etc. 



You have all, no doubt, experienced the sensation which 

 attends the loss of a crop, after a season of labor and anxiety, 

 and the seedsman from whom you procured the seed comes in 

 for his full share of your maledictions. 



If, however, there are "pirates" in the seed trade, there are 

 also many conscientious, painstaking men to whom you are in- 

 debted for new and improved varieties, and who pursue their 

 calling, fully realizing the responsibilities which rest upon 

 them, and faithfully striving to meet them. And when your 

 seed proves good and true, and turns you an abundant crop, 

 should it not be as pleasant a duty to make known to him that 

 fact as it is to inform him when the contrary is the case. 



But a small portion of the seed-purchasing public realize the 

 labor, care and expense involved in the production of a new 

 variety of vegetable seed and the fixing of its habits. 



As new varieties are the result of selection or hybridization, 

 the tendency is to run back to the original stock — to retrograde 

 instead of advance. 



This requires constant watchfulness on the part of the grower. 

 Discretion must be used as to the ground on which the seed is 

 sown, care being taken not to put it in soil that will force too 

 rank a growth. All noxious growths must be eradicated at the 

 proper time in order to preserve the standard of purity. 



Take, for example, an extra early pea. It must be early so that 

 the gardener can market his crop while prices rule high. It 

 must be even in growth and maturity, so that' he may strip the 

 vines at from one to two pickings, thereby saving expense and 

 enabling him to use the land for other purposes. 



