20 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



The crop of seed sweet corn was very seriously injured by 

 early frosts, and it is estimated that not more than from 10 to 

 25 per cent of this stock is capable of germination. 



The prospect of an adequate supply of seed peas is also 

 poor. 



The estimates as to the probable price of seed potatoes range 

 from $2 to $3 per bushel and from $6 to $10 per barrel. 



Through the efforts last spring of the United States govern- 

 ment and State officials, and the public safety committees, 

 many persons who had had no experience in gardening were 

 induced to engage in this work, and unfortunately much 

 valuable seed was wasted in numerous instances through im- 

 proper handling. That there may be no repetition of such 

 disastrous results those who contemplate the planting of home 

 gardens the coming spring are urged to study the subject of 

 plant cultivation from information which may be obtained from 

 this Board or from the public safety committees, and by 

 reference to the standard works on agriculture and horticulture 

 in the public libraries. No seed should be permitted to go to 

 waste in a time like this through ignorance of the planter. 



The present situation, while due to unlooked-for conditions, 

 as the war and the weather, only serves to remind us more 

 acutely than ever of the necessity of producing more seed in 

 our own country-, and of studying conditions so that favorable 

 localities may be selected for the production of seeds of the 

 highest quality. Undoubtedly, in certain parts of this State 

 seed growing can be conducted at a profit. We now have some 

 market gardeners producing certain root crop seeds of very high 

 grade, and which are eagerly sought by those who value 

 quality. Beets, carrots and onions may and are produced satis- 

 factorily. In a country as large as ours, and with such varied 

 conditions, there should be plans for the production of all 

 varieties, particularly after this war, when we shall undoubtedly 

 be placed on a more equal basis with Europe as regards labor. 

 Our agricultural colleges and experiment stations should give 

 more thought to the subject of teaching and experimenting in 

 seed culture. It is interesting to note at this time the effort 

 being made at the Essex County Agricultural School, which has 

 this year established a seed farm near the school. During the 



