1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 45 



On Seed Growing 



The Winter Meeting of the Worcester County Horti- 

 cultural Society, Thursday afternoon, February 26, in 

 Horticultural Hall, brought out many men and women who 

 are interested in seed growing, which was the subject of 

 S. F. Willard, Wethersfield, Ct., who was introduced by 

 President Edward W. Breed. At the close of the lecture 

 Mr. Willard answered questions and other persons gave 

 their experience at seed growing. 



That cheap seeds are a poor investment was impressed 

 on the audience. 



Mr. Willard said, in part: 



^'Commercial seed growing is one of the important divi- 

 sions of the great agricultural industries of our country. 

 It requires the skill that comes with experience and a knowl- 

 edge of conditions which affect the product in the varied 

 localities and sections wherever seeds are grown. The 

 principal growers, or companies engaged in the business are 

 experts. 



^' They have trained men in charge of departments. Close 

 watch must be kept of all details to insure purity of stock, 

 proper selection, a thoroughly cured product and proper 

 labeling, as well as cleansing and testing for germination. 

 As a business enterprise, it is one of much hazard, both 

 from loss of crops by unfavorable weather conditions and 

 by surplus crops on which there is often a heavy loss. 



^^In early days the seed growing of the United States was 

 largely in sections adjacent or having convenient trans- 

 portation to the cities, for seed growing is closely connected 

 with, and may be said to have been developed along with 

 vegetable growing. 



''The market grower in this way kept control of the type 

 he required, thus acclimating or developing strains to a 

 given section. The period of great development in seed 

 growing in America has been the fifty years since the close 



