DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



OUR TEST OArtOElVS. 



These occupy some seven acres on Woodward Avenue where they are easy of access, not only 

 from our offices but to visitors to the city. *As soon as a lot of seed is received from the grower, 

 a sample is sent here for trial, and as the results obtained have excited considerable interest 

 among scientific men, a somewhat detailed account of the methods may be of interest to our read- 

 ers. Upon the receipt of the sample it is numbered and a record made of the variety, name of 

 grower, year raised, date received, and the sample is only known at the grounds by the number. 

 The first test is as to vitality. For this purpose we have an admirably arranged green-house, 

 along one side of which is an ordinary propagating bench covered with sash and divided into a 

 number of compartments so arranged that any desired amount of bottom heat, or of light, moist- 

 ure or surface heat can be easily obtained. In testing the seeds we use square earthen pots which 

 are filled with sandy soil, pressed down evenly and firmly ; lOO seeds of each sample are carefully 

 counted out and by means of an apparatus designed for the purpose deposited at equal distances 

 apart and at a uniform depth in a perfectly straight line ; they are then carefully covered and the 

 pots placed in the compartment having the most favorable conditions for the germination of that 

 species. With each lot of samples are planted one or more of known vitality to furnish a test of 

 the trial, that is, to detect any error arising from unfavorable conditions The seeds are carefully 

 tended and at the expiration of a proper time the number of plants from each lOO seeds is counted 

 and recorded, thus giving the vitality of the sample. We have made careful experiments in the 

 various methods of testing seeds, practiced in this country and in Europe, and are certain that we 

 obtain more uniform results by this method than by any other ; and comparisons made with results 

 obtained from the same samples by such men as Prof. Beal, of the Michigan Agricultural College, 

 and Prof. Johnson, of the Connecticut Experimental Station, convinces us that we have ascer- 

 tained the actual degree of vitality in each of the 1,200 samples tested in this way during the past 

 winter. As a result of this work, we have refused to receive or have destroyed a number of lots 

 of seed which to the eye seemed perfectly good, and which we knew to be of 1880 growth, but 

 which were of such low vitality as to be valueless. 



During the summer we have growing upon the grounds samples from different growers and 

 other seedsmen of every variety we offer. All the samples of each species are planted side by 

 side and treated alike, and during the season daily observations are made, and the slightest dif- 

 ference in value in the samples of the same variety or any especial merit in any sort is carefully 

 recorded. In addition to this we have samples of many new sorts just introduced or not 

 yet in the market, and are thus enabled to select and purchase any that have real merit. We had 

 during the past season over 1,500 samples growing upon these grounds, and the opportunity which 

 the large collection, distinct labeling, and perfect cultivation gave to study the different varieties, 

 was appreciated and enjoyed by hundreds of visitors. 



OXJH TVEAV ©EEI> >V^REHOXJSE. 



On another page we give a representation of our new seed warehouse, one of the largest 

 buildings used for mercantile or manufacturing purposes in the city of Detroit. It occupies one- 

 half of the entire block bounded by Randolph, Croghan, Brush and Lafayette streets, and is of 

 easy access to the depots, boats, post office, custom house, the telegraph, electrotyping, litho- 

 graphing, printing and binding offices, as well as to our seed farms and test garden, with all of 

 which it is often necessary for us to be in hourly communication. 



The building extends 300 feet on Brush street and 120 feet on both Croghan and Lafayette 

 streets. It has a very handsome exterior of brick and stone, is four stories high with a deep, 

 light, airy basement under the whole. The aggregate area of the several floors is between four 

 and five acres. As an indication of the growth of our business we would state that if each year 

 since we moved into our store on Woodward Avenue — twenty years ago — we had added one of 

 equal size, their combined floor surface would fall considerably short of that of our new building, 

 to say nothing of the capacity of our large store houses on the seed farms. 



We have devoted two pages to interior views of the building. The first shows our mail 

 order departm.ent, a room 120 by 140 feet, in which we execute every order we receive which is 

 accompanied by a remittance. The second is a view of a room of the same size, devoted to put- 

 ting up seeds in papers and assorting boxes for our wholesale trade with merchants. 



Our wholesale bulk seed and retail departments are located on the ground floor, and the 

 offices in the second story fronting on Brush and Croghan streets. 



