
Hall, New York 
January lst, 1948 
Dear Friend: 
We enter another year faced with many 
difficult problems but there is one that is common 
to all— food. It now appears that we will still 
have to help feed the world at least through 1948. 
In spite of general high prices last year 
most commercial vegetable growers experienced a very 
unsatisfactory year. Weather and labor conditions 
made production costs high and wholesale prices of 
vegetables fluctuated widely. The market grower's 
share of the consumerts dollar was so small that in 
many instances he took a loss. 
Meat animals and grain are high. There 
will undoubtedly be less acreage planted to vegetable 
crops in 1948 and more to grain. Vegetable prices 
will probably be relatively higher. Some writers are 
even suggesting that we may have serious vegetable 
shortages. We, therefore, recommend that small, well 
tended gardens be planted to insure a supply of fresh 
vegetables to supplement the family diet and help meet 
the high costs of living. 
Breeding and production of high quality seed 
have made it necessary for us to advance some prices; 
however, the cost of seed is only a very small part of 
the outlay necessary in the production of a crop. 
High quality seed has always proven to be the best buy. 
Very truly yours, 
aa a 
ee 
