9 6 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
and, therefore, these seeds are grown to the best ad- 
vantage in the North. On the other hand, as watermelons 
must have plenty of heat and sunshine, we find that 
Georgia conditions are ideal for this crop and the grow- 
ing of good seed ; pepper and eggplant seeds may be 
grown in the cold parts of the North with success, but 
for large yields of plump seeds the warm, sandy soils of 
New Jersey furnish ideal conditions; lima beans are 
grown in California because soil and climatic conditions 
are favorable to the best crops; the Puget Sound dis- 
trict furnishes splendid conditions for growing cauliflower 
seed. Many other examples might be given. Some seeds 
are grown almost entirely in foreign countries because 
of cheaper labor. 
One of the most important operations in growing high- 
grade seeds is “roguing.” A “rogue” is a plant that is 
off type, and should not be allowed to produce seed. The 
discarding of such plants is called “roguing,” and the 
quality of the seed from the standpoint of uniformity in 
the ultimate crop depends mainly upon the thoroughness 
of this operation. It is absolutely necessary for some 
one who knows the true or most desirable type to inspect 
every plant before it is allowed to produce seed. This 
is the step in the production of seeds for the large com- 
mercial houses which needs the most improvement. 
Roguing is generally practiced, but in too many cases it 
is not sufficiently severe. The right soil and climate can- 
not do everything. Scientifically conducted breeding 
plats and rigid roguing are the two greatest needs of 
American seed farms. 
142 Growing seeds at home. — It is claimed by many 
that it does not pay commercial gardeners to grow their 
own seeds. It is argued that seeds may be purchased 
from commercial houses at less cost than they can be 
grown at home ; that home growing is troublesome ; that 
gardeners do not have time to give the matter proper 
