1 Jan., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 13 
MARKET GARDENING, No. 2. 
By H. W. GORRIE, 
Horticulturist, Queensland Agricultural College. 
THE KIND OF SEEDS TO SOW. 
Havin prepared the soil, and decided upon what to grow, and marked out 
she ground in sections for the different crops, the next most important question 
is that of 
SEEDS. 
Seeds to be profitable must be of first-class quality, and it will be found 
cheaper in the end to pay a good price for good seeds than to buy inferior 
rubbish, which is dear at any price. 
Always purchase your seeds from a reliable seedsman, who has his 
reputation to maintain, and who can be depended upon to send out only seeds 
of good germinating power, and free from mixtures of any kind other than the 
variety of which the name appears on each packet. 
Some kinds of seeds retain their germinating power unimpaired for several 
years, cabbage and turnip seeds, for instance, and cucumbers, melons, &c. ; 
while others, such as onions, carrots, and parsnips, are of very little use when 
more than a year old. 
Peas, beans, &c., are also at their best during the first season. 
As it would be a difficult matter for the amateur to distinguish in all 
cases between good seeds and bad, the only plan is to always purchase from a 
reliable seedsman. 
SELECTING VARIETIES. 
In making your choice of the kinds of vegetables to grow, do not be 
misled by glowing descriptions of certain kinds of cabbage or peas, and 
purchase them under the impression that you have got something wonderful. 
It is much safer and more satisfactory to buy varieties which are cata- 
logued as standard varieties or good market sorts. It is also worth while to 
find out from your neighbours the names of any varieties which they have 
grown successfully, and you will thus be enabled to plant something which 
has already been proved good, and will be likely to have some measure of 
success with it yourself. 
Many beginners in gardening are disheartened at the commencement, by 
the miserable results of their first attempts, which are in many instances 
attributable to trying to grow varieties unsuited to the soil or climatic condi- 
tions.* 
If you have no reliable data to go upon, your seedsman will probably be 
able to help you in the selection of suitable varieties. 
Tn any case, until sufficient experience has been gained in growing well 
known and tested kinds of vegetables, it is not advisable to experiment with 
anything new or rare. The results of such attempts are sometimes far- 
reaching, inasmuch ag a certain kind of crop is frequently condemned as 
unsuitable for a district, because ‘‘ So-and-so tried it and proclaimed it a 
failure.” People are very apt to accept statements of this kind without going 
to the trouble of verifying them for themselves. ; 
I have often been told that a certain kind of vegetable will not grow here, 
because it has already been tried by someone, when, as a matter of fact, it has 
proved to be as easy of cultivation as pumpkins or maize, if accorded proper 
treatment. It is always safe, however, for the beginner to profit by the 
successes of his neighbours at first. There are many things which only 
experience can teach, and it is rather expensive to go experimenting with 
‘unfamiliar kinds of plants, before learning how to grow the known and 
established varieties. 
Tere teas be eo meee nee ements be Rn cde Nall nn ts ee 
* Seeds may be tested by placing them on damp flannel and noting whether they germinate 
or not.—Hd. Q.A.J. 
. 
