12 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



Could we not also consider the advisabilit}^ of growing intelli- 

 gently more of our own vegetable seeds and take care ourselves of 

 this industry which in past years has become an important trade to 

 Germany? In this connection it is interesting to read an old 

 advertisement that appeared in the Worcester Gazette, April 3, 

 1783. 



"GARDEN SEEDS. 



To be SOLD, by edmund heard, in Lancaster, the 

 following assortment of garden seeds, warrented 

 of the last Year's produce, viz. 



early peas early dwarf kidney, and six week beans, 

 early stone turnip, early Yorkshire, green Savoy, and 

 winter cabbage, early Mogul, and head lettuce, pepper- 

 grass, PARSLEY, RADDISH, CELERY, BEET, ONION, CARROT, PARSNIP, 



summer and winter squash. 



CUCUMBER, MUSK MELON, and PEPPER SEED, 



also, White beans, brought from the Northward, of a 

 superior Quality for planting in Cornfields. 



LANCASTER, MARCH 14, 1783." 



We all know how unpleasant it is to find that we have failed to 

 secure a good crop on account of poor seed and possibly this could 

 be rectified if our seeds were grown here at home. Certainly we 

 would be more independent in a time of war as now. 



Just one more thought which has occurred to me since the war. 

 Some people look upon the growing of flowers as a pure luxury 

 which ought to be given up during war times. Now I do not 

 agree with this thought and I want to tell you why. 



First, we must consider the fact that a very considerable number 

 of men have given up their life work to the study and work of 

 floriculture, a science in itself; of these men many are of mature 

 years and are utterly unfitted for other fields of work, and in many 

 cases dependent on their work for their support. Again, it is 



