8 
GERMAIN FRUIT COMPANY’S 
cypress and pine, weeping white oak, the sequoias, etc. Palm seeds, both native and exotic, and 
particularly in the hardy fan and pinnate leaved sorts, are commanding wide sale at home and abroad. 
As is well known to botanists and specialists, the native flora of California abounds in many beautiful 
flowering and ornamental plants which have long since become pronounced features of gardens 
everywhere. Chief among these must be mentioned the annuals and perennials, viz: Eschscholtzia 
California (California Poppy), Romneya Coulterii (California Mountain Poppy), Delphinium Cardinale 
(Scarlet Larkspur), Nemophila, Collinsia, Godetia, Mimulus, Coreopsis lanceolata, Abronia umbellata 
(Sand Verbena), Bartonia, Clarkia, Gilia, Limnanthes Douglassii, Lupins, Whitlavia. In bulbous 
plants there are also a number strikingly beautiful, and now of recognized commercial value. We refer 
to Calochortus, Brodiseas, Erythroniums, Bloomerias, Fritillarias, Lilies. 
It is possible that California flower seed production has achieved for the State its widest reputation as 
a seed growing section. In this division sweet peas are the chief product; the area devoted to this 
crop embraces some 500 acres, and includes about 135 varieties, aggregating some 350,000 pounds per 
year. It has been found that our long season of summer sunshine produces larger and more perfect 
blooms than are possible in less favored countries; for the same reason the seed is larger, more plump, 
and of stronger vitality. Closely following sweet-peas in commercial importance must be mentioned 
Petunias (California Giants, having a world-wide reputation), Nasturtiums, Cosmos, Verbenas, Asters, 
Coreopsis, etc., and in fact the whole range of garden flowering annuals. Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, 
Geraniums, Begonias, Smilax, and many other varieties are produced in appreciable commercial quant¬ 
ities. Bulbous plants grow in great luxuriance. California-grown Calla, Freesia, Amaryllis, Gladiolus, 
Montbretias, and many other sorts, now command the markets of the world. Carloads are shipped 
to the east and the European markets annually. 
The Why and Wherefore. 
Obviously, California seed growing is not an experiment, but a pronounced success, based on condi¬ 
tions of soils and climates for its successful prosecution, second to those of no other section in the 
world; here the grower has everything in his favor, a remarkably fertile soil, a salubrious climate, 
which is a happy medium between extreme cold and excessive heat; a long summer season giving great 
scope for the growing and maturity of all crops, a matter of vital importance in the production of seed. 
But beyond these advantages of soils, climates, temperatures and altitudes, the California grower is not 
a creature of Jupiter Pluvious —he turns on his irrigating water when the crop demands it, irrespective 
of a chance rain. Indeed, his motto all along the line is " Science, not Chance.” He grows seed on 
pretty much the same lines that a manufacturer makes nails or sugar. He has the elements of success 
absolutely under control; if he fails, it is a matter of judgment rather than of the elements. 
A Personal Word in Conclusion. 
It affords us a certain pride and gratification to be able to say, that in both seed growing as well as in 
seed seiling, this house has been an important factor in giving to the great army of growers all over the 
United States the advantages of California-grown seeds. These advantages are more than skin deep, 
they have a commercial significance of the first importance, for the planting of California-grown seeds 
means larger and better crops, and a corresponding increase of money returns to growers. These facts 
are self evident, and have been so thoroughly demonstrated in the hard school of experience, as to 
require no further authentication here. The question no longer is " Can you afford to plant California- 
grown seeds,” but "Can you afford not to plant them.” 
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ 
