Stokes Seeds are Sold in Sealed 



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 simplification. 

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

 our list 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 

 offering a more inclusive list of vegetables, we have definitely raised our type standards. Professor Conklin, 

 noted biologist of Princeton, has said, "All progress involves increased specialization." There is a great 

 deal of truth in this statement. 



CARROT 

 Cbantenay (Scokes) 

 Color purity: 99 percent 

 Type purity; 94 percent 

 Germlnadon: 72 percent 

 Disinfectant: Dipdust (Bayer) 

 Days to maturity: 55-70 

 Lengtli of root: 4 to 5 Inches 

 FR-\NC!S C. STOKES & CO. 



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 siich 

 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 very high 

 on any competitive record. 



Plan Carefully for 1928 



Our advice to customers at the present time is that 

 you emphasise quality and not quantity. Llsually 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 the bituminous fields is carrying 



;es Under Definite Specificatior 



its burden of bitterness and loss to untold thousands. 

 Farmers are putting up an uphill fight in selling their 

 products on an open market and buying their supplies 

 on a market that enjoys the highest protecrive tariff in 

 the world,— Republican newspapers to the contrary. All 

 of these things have a direct effect on weakening the 

 business position, and this invariably means a weakened 

 produce market. Under such conditions the evil results 

 of over-production are easily felt. 



Have You Received Our 1928 Catalog? 



Every few days we receive a letter from some old cus- 

 tomer, asking why we have not sent a copy of our new 

 catalog. All of this is vcrj' distressing to us, for we had 

 made every effort to see that everyone of our old cus- 

 tomers received a catalog from us as early as December 

 10th. We appreciate the good will of our customers 

 far too much to slip up purposely on any matter of this 

 kind and we assume that when a catalog is not received 

 It has become lost in the mail. We will appreciate it very 

 much indeed if any other of our former customers will 

 advise us in the event that they have not received thcu- 

 catalog this year. 



We Can StiJI Supply Vanguard Com 



Although we are not regularly cauioging peas, beans 

 or corn this year, we have a limited supply of new crop 

 Vanguard seed corn. Subject to being unsold, this is 



offered at 25c per pound delivered. 



Giant Leaved Nobel Spinach Is Sold Out 



We are sorry to report that this excellent variety is no 

 longer available until we receive the new crop, which is 

 about November 1st, I92S. This spinach, .ilthough not 

 of the Savoyed type, has gained great popularity because 

 of its heavy yield, its fine flavor and its long-standing 

 ability. 



Don't Bother to Say "Please Rush This Order" 



We are rushing all orders and even those which come 

 in the 4 P. M. mail go out in the 5 P. M. delivery. New 

 customers often tell us they are astonished to have their 

 deliveries made so promptly. 



We have recently purchased the property ne hare been occupying for five years on Wash- 

 ington Square. Being thus centrally located in the heart of old Philadelphia, oitr customers 

 can readily find »s. There is a parking privilege for one hour on Washington Square. The 

 above photograph was taken from one of our upper windows on February 17th, 1928. 



