are 



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Stokes Seed 5er.vice5; 



Ctpjrigbt 1927 



CARROT 

 Chantenay (Stokes) 

 Color purity: 99 percent 

 Type purity: 94 percent 

 Germination: 72 percent 

 Disinfectant: Dipdust (Bayer) 

 Days to maturity: 55-70 

 Length of root: 4 to 5 inches 



FRANCIS C. STOKES & CO. 



offering a more inclusive list of ve 

 note(d biologist of Princeton, has 

 (deal of truth in this statement. 



Here is the Specification 



THE average label on a seed bag is not very illuminating. Being of 

 the opinion that it is very much the business of both the seller and 

 the buyer of high'grade vegetable seed to have the facts well before him, 

 we have this year, for the first time, inaugurated the use of the specifica' 

 tion. This is in the form of a seal which gives definite facts regarding 

 each individual lot of seed. These facts have to do with the percentage 

 of type purity, the germination, the disinfection, days to maturity, etc. 

 The use of the specification is a further result of variety simpHfication. 

 We have not felt that it was physically possible until we had simplified 

 our hst as we have this year. In buying Stokes Seeds you do so with 

 your eyes wide open. This specification is symbolic of definite progress 

 in the merchandising of vegetable seed. In foregoing the pleasure of 

 getables, we have definitely raised our type standards. Professor Conklin, 

 said, ''AH progress involves increased specialization." There is a great 



Why We Believe in Seed Disinfection 



Stokes Seeds were the first of the general vegetable 

 seed line in the United States to be regularly disinfected 

 before being sold. It is obvious that this pioneering 

 service would not be continued if we were not thor- 

 oughly convinced that such treatment reacts to the bene- 

 fit of the planter. Europe is ten years ahead of this 

 country in the seed disinfecting field. Knowing this, we 

 made a thorough investigation of the subject in four dif- 

 ferent European countries in 1926. 



It is a known fact that many plant diseases are spread 

 through infected seed and although the organic mercury 

 treatment which we are applying does not cover all or- 

 ganisms, experiments have proven that it does eliminate 

 those on the exterior of the seed coat. A few diseases 

 such as Black Leg on cabbage and Phomopsis on egg- 

 plant have their fungii under the seed coat and in such 

 cases other means of control are necessary. 



Our activities on this subject have been largely guided 

 by Dr. C. R. Orton, Pathologist and Chemist, who for 

 some time has been making intensive studies of the sub- 

 ject at the Boyce Thompson Plant Research Institute. 

 Largely on his advice, we are this year using the Bayer 

 Company's Dipdust, which has proven itself highly 

 effective. Wc have found that this treatment greatly 



advances and strengthens germination. This is particu- 

 larly true during cold, wet seasons when the damping-off 

 fungii becomes most active. Our files are literally filled 

 with letters from customers commenting on the strong 

 germination of our seed. We are convinced that a large 

 part of this success is due to the disinfectant to which 

 the seed has been subjected. At the present time we are 

 using a seed treatment apparatus which we have im- 

 ported from Leipzig, Germany. The 1928 germination 

 average is 91.3%, — a figure which will stand ver>' high 

 on any competitive record. 



Plan Carefully for 1928 



Our advice to customers at the present time is that 

 you emphasize quality and not quantity. L^sually there 

 is a profitable market for a high-grade product, rarely is 

 there a market for a low-grade product. 1928 is the year 

 to lay careful plans for overcoming competition. Think 

 for yourself and avoid mass opinion. Work out a thor- 

 oughly foolproof plan. Produce vegetables that will sell 

 themselves through their own outstanding good qual- 

 ities. Plant early maturing strains, and, as far as pos- 

 sible, disease resistant strains. 



The country is not in a period of boom times. Un- 

 employment is more severe than at any time since 1920. 

 The tragic coal strike in ihc bituminous fields is carrj'ing 



