NORTHRUP, KING & CO.’S FARM SEEDS 
Some of the gravity machines in Northrup, King & Co.’s clean¬ 
ing plant. These machines are slower than other purifyers, but 
very efficient on such items as clovers and alfalfas. 
The second point at which we control quality is through 
our laboratory. Years ago we used to buy seed merely by 
looking at samples and basing our bids on experienced 
observation alone. Today we check our judgment by a 
laboratory test on every lot before it is bought and every 
lot is tested at least five times, and frequently more, at 
various stages of processing, before it finally leaves our 
hands. 
The third factor that determines quality is the cleaning 
process. Here we have provided the best of modern equip¬ 
ment, our many years of experience has taught us how to 
use it, and our men are required to maintain a quality of 
workmanship that will protect the reputation of our 
brands. 
Our customers naturally wish to feel sure in buying 
seeds that they are not paying too much, and for this 
reason, we are constantly meeting with pressure from 
the price standpoint. No one who has not had personal 
experience in cleaning seeds, can appreciate how much 
costs are increased by the shrinkage that a really first 
class job requires. There is always the greatest temptation 
therefore, to reduce this cost by lowering our standards 
of quality in order to be able to sell our seeds for less 
money. This temptation is particularly great because we 
Every fall and winter hundreds of thousands of dollars worth 
of seeds are .stored on several floors of Northrup, King & Co.’s 
warehouses where proper temperature and moisture conditions 
are maintained. 
Pa&e 11 
