YOU CAN ADD 
[POLLars 
wee BY PLANTING -x-e-x 
HENDERSON’S ‘ SUPERIOR” SEEDS. 
TO YOUR ... 
CROP RETURNS 
We give below the relative value of the crops produced by ‘‘ Superior’’ and by 
‘‘Cheap’’ Seeds. 
T is not enough to know that seeds grow, for weed seeds will grow! The vital point is, What will they 
produce? This is a matter that is too seldom taken into consideration by the average buyer, many of whom are more interested 
in hunting for the lowest in price, while progressive farmers and gardeners appreciate that ‘‘ blood will tell” in seeds as well as in 
animals, and knowing that their profits for a whole year depend upon the seeds they plant, they avoid ‘‘cheap” seeds as being poor 
economy. There are few who understand why superior seeds produce superior crops, and that there may be a little better under- 
standing of the difference between ‘‘superior’’ seeds and ‘‘cheap”’ seeds, we outline below some of the methods pursued in the 
production of both, which also explains why SUPERIOR seeds produce superior and more profitable crops. 
Plants produce seeds only through the agency of flowers containing sexual organs. These organs are sometimes contained in the 
same flower, sometimes in different flowers on the same plant, sometimes on different plants. A union of these two organs, called 
fertilization, is effected by either wind, insects, artificially or otherwise, and without which the flowers will prove sterile and will not 
bear seeds. This matter of fertilization underlies the whole science of seed production. 
Varieties with self-fertilizing flowers ‘‘inbreed”’ and their products deteriorate. Species that fertilize through the agency of wind 
or insects ‘‘mix,” and their productions are generally mongrels. Most plants produced from seeds are not, as some suppose, of fixed 
type from generation to generation, but are infinitely variable. This variability of plants has its drawbacks and advantages; without 
this tendency man could never have evolved from the original wild forms our vegetables, flowers, cereals, fruits, ete., of the present 
age. The disadvantage is that the ‘“‘ variable tendency”’ cannot be eliminated when ideals of perfection have been attained ; in fact, the 
higher vegetable life is developed the greater is its waywardness, tending generally towards degeneracy, provided there is any let-up in 
the factors which have brought our economic vegetable life up to its present standard. 
These conditions, therefore, demand that the progressive seedsman have a complete knowledge of the forces—hybridization, 
crossbreeding, inbreeding, selection, soil, cultivation, climate, etec.—and their effects on different plants ; aided by these forces he must 
exercise the nicest skill in so directing the energies of his plants that their seeds will produce what planters want, viz., superior yields 
of superior products and of the best types. 
Upon the knowledge, efficiency and thoroughness with which the above factors are applied depends the superiority and cost of the 
seeds produced. In growing CHEAP SEEDS some or all must be omitted or slighted, but in HENDERSON'S “SUPERIOR” SEEDS 
are embodied all of the constituents for the production of superior crops that theory could suggest, experience furnish and science apply. 
REASONS WHY More Profitable Crops May be Grown from Henderson’s 
“Superior” Seeds than from “Cheap” Seeds. 
We crossbreed to improve and strengthen and to prevent deterio- 
ration by growing in proximity or in alternate rows stocks (seeds) of the same 
variety which we have produced under different conditions in different localities. 
This results in an annual blending of fresh blood, and produces crossbred seed, 
the crops from which will be larger, more vigorous, productive and earlier. 
Cabbages from our seed, grown side by side with the same variety raised from 
inbred seed, yield nearly fifty per cent more in weight, and in many things the 
gains in yield from our crossbred seed are phenomenal. 
Cheap seeds are produced by a less troublesome method; usually the same 
stock is annually grown in one place by some man who has“ got used’”’ to grow- 
ing it for the seed dealer; the result is a loss of vigor and productiveness 
every year, because this is inbreeding, which weakens vegetable as well as 
animal life. 
We prevent ‘“‘mixing’’ of varieties and loss of type by growing miles 
apart those that spontaneously cross with each other through pollen carried by 
wind or insects. Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts are liable 
to cross with each other, also Pumpkins, Squashes, Melons, Cucumbers and 
Gourds are liable to mix with varieties of the same species. We have known of 
fine-looking Winter Squash being so bitter that even cattle would not eet them, 
caused simply by a few ornamental Gourds being grown too near. Corns, 
whether field or sweet varieties, are liable to mix a mile apart; varieties of 
Tomatoes if grown in proximity may cross. Many other nearly related vege- 
tables and flowers must be grown widely apart to be kept pure. There are but 
few producers of cheap seeds who are conversant with this vitally important 
Bubject; and even if they were, there is no financial inducement for them to 
incur the extra expense and care of wide separation. 
We rigidly ‘‘rogue’’ and select, which develops, improves and 
fixes types. The most important and the only controlling power in holding a 
variety up to its standard of excellence is intelligent, constant and rigid selection 
of seed-bearing parents. While all plants of an old standard variety may appear 
the same to the average observer, yet in reality they are all different. There are 
no two plants in a row of Lettuce alike, no two Cabbages in a field alike, no two 
leaves in a forest alike, no two living things in the organic world absolutely alike. 
Sometimes the departures from character are quite marked, and if a seed variety, 
no matter how slightly the “‘off’’ tendency in a plant may be, itmust be“‘rogued 
out,” for the next generation is liable to be further “ off’’; therefore every seed- 
bearing plant of ours is studied by our alert, skillful and trustworthy men, 
thoroughly versed as to what the ideals of types should be. 
One reason why home-saved seed is advised against by all authori- 
ties is the inadequate knowledge of the principles of selection forseed. How often 
do we see the farmerselecting his seed corn from the bin by picking out thelargest 
ears ; he little realizes that they have probably only grown one to astalk, that 
they may have ripened at different times. Such selection as this eventually 
results in reducing yield and varying maturity. 
One week a gardener selects what he considers perfect Tomatoes for seed; at 
intervals of a week or more he selects a few more. His ideals are the fruits; he 
never looks at the plant; it may have been a poor one, for poor plants some- 
times bear one or two very superior fruits. It is likely also that several other 
varieties of Tomatoes are growing in close proximity, but the gardener is uncon- 
scious of the fact that the seed he is saving is ten times as likely to perpetuate 
the character of the plant as the individual fruit, and that the product from the: 
seed he is saving will be varied in type. 
