96 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



and, therefore, these seeds are grown to the best ad- 

 vantage in the North. On the other hand, as watermelons 

 must have plenty of heat and sunshine, we find that 

 Georgia conditions are ideal for this crop and the grow- 

 ing of good seed ; pepper and eggplant seeds may be 

 grown in the cold parts of the North with success, but 

 for large yields of plump seeds the warm, sandy soils of 

 New Jersey furnish ideal conditions ; lima beans are 

 grown in California because soil and climatic conditions 

 are favorable to the best crops; the Puget Sound dis- 

 trict furnishes splendid conditions for growing cauliflower 

 seed. Many other examples might be given. Some seeds 

 are grown almost entirely in foreign countries because 

 of cheaper labor. 



One of the most important operations in growing high- 

 grade seeds is "roguing." A "rogue" is a plant that is 

 off type, and should not be allowed to produce seed. The 

 discarding of such plants is called "roguing," and the 

 quality of the seed from the standpoint of uniformity in 

 the ultimate crop depends mainly upon the thoroughness 

 of this operation. It is absolutely necessary for some 

 one who knows the true or most desirable type to inspect 

 every plant before it is allowed to produce seed. This 

 is the step in the production of seeds for the large com- 

 mercial houses which needs the most improvement. 

 Roguing is generally practiced, but in too many cases it 

 is not sufficiently severe. The right soil and climate can- 

 not do everything. Scientifically conducted breeding 

 plats and rigid roguing are the two greatest needs of 

 American seed farms. 



142. Growing- seeds at home. It is claimed by many 

 that it does not pay commercial gardeners to grow their 

 own seeds. It is argued that seeds may be purchased 

 from commercial houses at less cost than they can be 

 grown at home ; that home growing is troublesome ; that 

 gardeners do not have time to give the matter proper 



