DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF SEEDS. 
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best authority on seeds and their production this country ever had, made a similar prophecy in a letter 
to Mrs. Theodosia B. Shepherd, which encompassed a period of seventeen years. That predictionjnade 
in 1S81 has largely come true much before its date of fulfillment, and is now a tangible, living, forcible 
fact. It is as follows: 
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g “I am certain that California, before fifty years, will be the g 
g great seed and bulb growing country of the world. You have the g 
g exact conditions necessary to grow seeds, and I would advise you g 
g to go to work systematically at once.” 
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Acreage and Production of Today. 
That advice has been followed and profited by since it was given. During the past score of years, 
seed growing has become a feature of our landscape in all portions of the State — at least in three great 
agricultural divisions of the State, viz: The northern, central and southern portions; taking its incep¬ 
tion at the north it has gradually spread until seed growing is practiced wherever crops are produced 
in quantity. The number of people engaged run into the thousands, from the specialist, with a single 
strain or variety, to the commercial growers having hundreds and thousands of acres devoted to seed. 
In certain lines California seeds already lead the world, both on grounds of quantity as well as quality. 
Before another decade shall have passed, we will be supplying the markets of the United States with all 
the standard garden, field and flower seeds of every seedman’s catalogue. This is a foregone conclusion, 
because we have the varieties of climates and soils to accomplish it. Nature has been lavish with us, in 
providing every advantage, it now only remains for man to supply the brain, brawn and bank for their 
development on correct lines. 
To prove that seed growing in California is destined to control the markets in seeds in this country 
and in certain particular lines is to supply the world, let us briefly survey the field as the situation 
presents itself at the present writing. It is conceded by all who are in the least familiar with the 
vitality and germinating qualities of California-grown seeds, that they lead the world in percentage of 
fertility and superiority of product. Hence we will take them in their importance of commercial pro¬ 
duction. 
Our foremost crop is of course beans; this industry was inaugurated in 1882, in Ventura and Santa 
Barbara counties, where the conditions are exceptionally favorable for this crop. Some 40,000 to 
50,000 acres are devoted to its cultivation, and the annual product of all varieties amounts to nearly 
2,000 carloads when the crop reaches maximum yields. This seed is beyond all doubt superior in 
vitality and germinating power to that produced anywhere either in this country or Europe. 
As a close second in volume of production must be mentioned the onion seed output, aggregating 
some 600,000 pounds per year. This crop finds congenial conditions in the semi-adobe lands which 
abound in all portions of the State. California onion seed gives a larger percentage in vitality and 
germinating power, and a corresponding better product, than either eastern or European grown. Our 
onion sets bear the same relative position as that occupied by the seed. All standard varieties are 
grown, and the output is sufficient in volume to supply the markets of the entire country. 
Lettuce is a seed crop, of which the output is 200,000 pounds each year, that luxuriates in a Cali¬ 
fornia soil, and of which we now supply the United States with this crop. Tomatoes also do fine, if 
properly planted and cared for, and the California seed is pronounced A1 quality. Celery is a big crop in 
Southern California, the annual shipment of fresh stalks being over 1,000 carloads from a single county. 
Some fifteen varieties are grown. The annual output of seed aggregates some 20,000 pounds. 
In spinach we grow large quantities, the annual production being about 100,000 pounds, the varieties 
however are limited to about half a dozen. Carrot (200,000 pounds,) radish (100,000 pounds,) 
leek (5,000 pounds,) salsify (15,000 pounds,) and parsnip, parsley, collards, coleriac, endive, kale, 
kohl-rabi, etc., are all produced in commercial quantities. Mustard is grown in large quantities, also 
flax seed to some extent. Briefly, most every variety of garden and field seed is grown to perfection. 
In field and tree seeds much has also been accomplished. The native fodder plants, such as alfilaria 
have become of commercial importance, and the seed is now a regular item of every well regulated 
establishment. Burr clover is also a big factor. Our native trees and shrubs are considered acquisi¬ 
tions to gardens the world over and their seeds are eagerly sought after, the chief items being Monte re 
