
Farmers Profit by WETSEL SERVICE 

HOW IT 
ALL 
STARTED 
AND 
DEVELOPED 

HE Wetsel Seed Company is the outgrowth of 
experiments begun in 1902 by its founder 
D. M. Wetsel, Sr. On his small farm consisting of 
only 15 acres of land, Mr. Wetsel experimented 
first with several varieties of corn. His purpose was 
to determine which kinds were best adapted to 
climatic conditions and types of soil in the Shenan- 
doah Valley and similar territories. Later he ac- 
quired a farm of 160 acres, situated on the Shenan- 
doah River, and materially expanded his experi- 
ments and production of corn for seed. Within a 
few years he became widely known as an outstand- 
ing breeder of and an authority on seed corn and 
other seeds. 
The next step in the course of his expansion was 
the operation of a Seed Wagon, especially designed 
for the display of corn and other seeds. Mr. Wetsel 
and his green painted wagon became a familiar sight 
at Court Day gatherings, Auction Sales and the 
like, in adjacent counties. And under the name of 
the Green Island Seed Farm, he exhibited his pro- 
ductions at county and state fairs, winning many 
high honors. 
In 1911 asmall store was opened in Harrisonburg, 
under the name of D. M. Wetsel & Son. From this 
small beginning the firm expanded until in 1920 it 
occupied much larger space on Court Square, a 
photograph of which is shown on this page. This 
building, together with a railroad warehouse, was 
occupied until 1935, when our present modern plant 
was erected. In addition to our main plant, shown 
here, we now occupy two other buildings—a smaller 
one recently purchased on Liberty Street, the land 
of which adjoins the main plant, and on which con- 
struction is now being planned, and a large storage 
warehouse at the north end of the city. 
An interesting feature of the above photograph of 
the Court Square store is that this snowstorm 
occurred on April 18, 1926. Of further passing 
interest is the predominant make—indeed “‘quality”’ 
—of the automobiles of as recent a year as 1926. 
We just thought that the date of this substantial 
snow and the auto “‘lines’’ might interest you, as 
they did us, when we recently came across this 
photograph. 





Our Service to You 
HE steady growth of the Wetsel Seed Company through 
the years is largely due to the direct benefits which our 
customers have received from dealing with us: 
Ll: 
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Our large stock of dependable seeds and farm supplies 
enables dealers, farmers, and gardeners to supply their 
needs as they arise, instead of being compelled to order 
far in advance of the season. Large or small orders are 
given the same careful attention. 
Unnecessary freight and handling charges are eliminated 
through the purchasing of car-lot quantities from 
growers; this saving we are able to pass on to our 
customers. 
. The seed-cleaning equipment which we have installed 
has enabled farmers over a large area to grow many of 
their own seeds and grains, and to sell us their surplus 
crops at top market prices. Many thousands of bushels 
of Clovers, Orchard Grass, Lespedeza, and other grasses 
now find a ready cash market here. Through our long 
experience and cleaning and treating facilities, farmers 
are able to sell us for seed large quantities of wheat, 
barley, oats, rye, and other crops which otherwise would 
have to be sold at milling and feed prices. 
Thus Harrisonburg, by virtue of our vast and modern 
facilities, is performing a vital service in the war effort. 
Food for both man and beast is a real necessity, and ob- 
viously high-grade seeds in sufficient quantities and 
when needed (sometimes on short notice) are indis- 
pensable to the production of food. Let’s all pull to- 
gether so as to do our part in bringing this world con- 
flict to a speedy and satisfactory close. 
THE WETSEL SEED CO., Inc. 
