543 



THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



better seed ; and those removed, would, probably, if left, have borne only 

 abortive seeds. 



It has been said that cabbage seed, raised from cabbage stalks, the head 

 being removed, seldom produce plants that head well. So reason teaches. 



And it has been said also that squash and pumpkin seeds, taken from the 

 stem end, are more apt to produce fruit similar to the parent than those 

 taken from the blossom end. It is well worth while to ascertain if this 

 saying is correct. Reflection would probably suggest a reason why it is so. 



This spring, more complaint has been made of the bad quality of parsnip 

 and onion seeds than of any other ; but the beet beds show many vacancies. 



Doubtless the failure of many seeds is due to the ignorance or careless- 

 ness of the sower. It will take but a few lines to remark that, in a dry 

 season, covering the seed sown, for three or four days, with a board or a 

 piece of old carpet, will sometimes cause it to vegetate, when otherwise it 

 might not. 



Can you, Mr. Editor, give a list of the seeds which lose their vitality 

 soonest, and of other seeds which retain their vitality longest ? Honest 

 seed raisers, and all are honest, for aught I know, would be glad to learn. 

 Yours, 4'c., S. Hale, Keene, JV. H. 



We fully agree with our correspondent, that there is great need of im- 

 provement in the quality of garden seeds. We have been long aware that if 

 there is anything in which the public are humbugged, it is in garden seeds. 

 But the cause must not be laid to the establislied seed dealers ; it belongs 

 AvhoUy and exclusively to the purchasers. They require cheap seeds, and 

 always buy of those who sell the lowest, and of course they get them ; for 

 no honest, upright seedsman could supply pure fresh seeds at the unusually 

 low prices at which they are now sold. 



The truth is, the mass of the people buy garden seeds as they would a 

 pound of sugar or a bushel of corn; the cheapest always finding the most 

 customers. The standing of the seedsman is of no consideration, and the 

 seeds of an unknown dealer are just as readily taken as those from the mer- 

 chant Avho is well known, and has a reputation to lose. The competition 

 among dealers, and the eagerness to secure customers, has lowered prices, 

 and as they are beloAv what fresh seeds can be raised for, they must of 

 course be adulterated to afford a living. The dishonest seedsmen, if there 

 are any such, must pursue this course, or purchase, hap-hazard, any seed 

 offered for sale, of which there is always an abundance, without knowing 

 anything about them. Probably not one in ten of those who buy seeds 

 are aware that the best seedsmen, who can be relied upon, have their seeds 

 raised expressly for them, and often furnish the stock, or know that it is 

 pure ; it is the only way in which they can be certain of their genuineness. 

 The only remedy is, therefore, to deal with Jlrst rate houses, with men w^io 

 are known, and to be willing to pay a fair price for a pure article. If, 

 however, they must be had at a low price, purchasers must expect to have 

 them mixed with old seeds ; for it is the only way in which the dealer can 

 compete with the cheap seedsmen. Our advice is to buy nothing in the 

 way of seeds, plants or trees, because they are cheap. — Ed. 



