PREFACE. 



I should like to see more seed-growers in the United 

 States, and I hope some of my young friends will devote 

 themselves to this industry. There are more seeds sown 

 in America, in proportion to population, than in any 

 other country. European seedsmen, notwithstanding a 

 duty of twenty per cent. , find the United States one of 

 the best markets in the world. 



It seems to be a fact, that many seeds, when grown 

 here, produce much better crops than when grown in 

 Europe. Market gardeners give a decided preference to 

 American-grown seeds. American -grown cabbage seeds, 

 for instance, find a ready sale at double the price of im- 

 ported seed. 



Cauliflower seed has hitherto rarely been grown in 

 this country successfully, but I understand that Cali- 

 fornia is now growing it of excellent quality. Dakota 

 is growing cabbage seed, and I feel confident that some- 

 where on this broad Continent, with its great diversity 

 of soil and climate, there is not a seed which the Ameri- 

 can gardener wants, that will not be grown to perfection. 

 The great point is to get what seed-growers call " stock 

 seed," to start with. As a rule, you can not buy it. 

 You must grow it yourself. Take Cucumber seed, for 

 example. Enormous quantities of Cucumber seed are 

 grown and sold in America, and yet it is exceedingly 

 difficult to get good seed, pure, and true to name. And 

 (5) 



