Se Gordons in 
DD, ae! ee DAeiend, 
By John Mosbell 
We have been in constant touch 
with Denmark and Holland since the 
German invasion of those countries, 
receiving our information in round- 
about ways through relatives and 
friends in other countries. It is in- 
teresting to know that during the 
entire war Danish seed growers con- 
tinued their selection and breeding 
work unhindered, paying particular 
attention to export items and strains 
that rave proven their value in the 
United States. Further improve- 
ments in new selections have also 
been made in cauliflower and cab- 
bage. Already in 1943 the Danish 
seed growers must have had some 
good ideas as to when they would 
be able to resume foreign trading, 
because particular attention was 
paid to the increased production of 
American types for harvest during 
the fall of 1944. 
The 1944 crop was satisfactory, not 
elaborate, but as stated, the Danish 
seed grower was able to pay atten- 
tion to his production. Just how he 
managed to do his selection of 
American types right under the 
noses of the Nazis will be known 
SEED WORLD 

later on. Stocks in Denmark today, 
of cauliflower, cabbage, kale, spin- 
ach, radish, etc., are satisfactory as 
far as 1944 carry-over is concerned. 
The outlook for the 1945 crop is an 
average, based on returns prior to 
1939; perhaps a slight increase. 
There are certain seeds that they 
need, and we have a list of them. 
In spite of the fact that Holland 
had suffered so much more than 
Denmark their seed industry is in 
good shape. The carry-over from 
the 1944 crop is smaller than usual, 
but there will be a sufficient amount 
of seeds harvested this fall in Hol- 
land. This may come as a surprise 
to some people. Nevertheless, these 
are facts. 
To go back to Denmark, I have 
received word from my mother, who 
I am glad to say is well. The years 
have been very hard, but as com- 
pared to other countries that have 
been under the heel of the Nazis for 
five years, their present condition is 
very much better. As you know, a 
considerable supply of provisions 
was found after the capitulation of 
the Nazis—food they had stored in 
Denmark, wishing to use Denmark 
as the pantry for replenishing food 
supply to their own people. 
I was particularly pleased to see 
that after the Danes uncovered these 
caches they were distributed to 
neighboring countries who had suf- 
fered more than they had. I think 
it is a mighty fine sign. For instance, 
as soon as Norway was liberated, 
people on the peninsula of Jutland 
went around collecting food that was 
loaded on ships on Frederickhavn 
and shipped it across to Norway. 
Furthermore, one third of the Dan- 
ish fishing fleet was designated to 
produce solely fish for liberated 
Norway. There were no contracts, 
arrangements, invoices or what- 
have-you. It was an immediate, vol- 
untary effort of one free people to 
help a sister nation that had suf- 
fered more. Considerable food-stuff, 
such as pork, has also been shipped 
to Holland. You see that in regards 
to the seed industry, Denmark and 
Holland are to be figured as imme- 
diate sources of supply. 
——sw—— 
AUGUST 17, 1945 
