Ss sree henenespenscsnenerreneee 
48 HAND BOOK FOR THE GARDEN 

Completely Equipped Seed Testing Laboratory of 
Northrup, King & Co. 
Northrup, King & Co.’s Sweet Corn Seed is produced within a 
radius of 60 miles of Minneapolis. In addition to extensive growing 
operations, this firm has conducted large breeding and experimental 
tracts under the personal direction of its seed corn experts. New 
varieties have been propagated and great improvement made in 
puree sorts. Two new Golden Bantam varieties are described on 
page 12, 
Because of the methods of growing and the personal attention 
given to garden seed crops, few impurities are found in the seed, but 
adequate equipment is provided to clean and purify any stocks which 
need such service. Germination and vigor, however, are items of the 
utmost importance and skilled testing with modern laboratory equip- 
ment is necessary to determine their satisfactory existence. The 
Northrup, King & Co. Laboratory is one of the largest and most 
completely equipped in the country, and it is under the personal di- 
rection of a nationally known seed analyst. Over 15,000 tests are 
conducted here each year. 
Field tests are also made of all lots of seeds, at the Northrup, King 
& Co. Trial Ground located a short distance out of Minneapolis. Accu- 
rate tests for vitality, growth, type, size, color, etc., are made and 
recorded. Competitor’s stocks are also tested, that comparisons may 
be made. New strains are also tried out here and found satisfactory 
before being added to the Northrup, King & Co. garden seed list. 
The handling of garden seeds is a business requiring a great 
amount of detail and extremely accurate execution. The Northrup, 
King & Co. organization is trained for this accuracy. In growing 
harvesting, threshing, shipping, cleaning, testing, tagging, storing— 
all processes are conducted by experienced operatives—an organiza- 
tion over fifty years in building—with a leadership which is satisfied 
with nothing but the best service to the company’s patrons. 
