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S- Growing Seeds for Market
/ S-.: Good Seeds Are Half the Battle
GUY ELLIOTT MITCHELL
One of t !.<• n -t thriving businesses
Jn the United 8 a tea today and which
seemingly carr. s on its work regard
less of the flu- nations of stocks on
the great exch ages, is tho small growing
and selling of •eds. f rom bi
glnnlngs in tie- colonial < period this
business has gv<- wn so that now its
value in meusur d by the tens of mii
Hons. The first 1 pnnTng of the seed
business commei ■d in small shops
where u few bo- i of seed shared a
comer with cod h or a shelf with
calicoes or booh To-day It lias come
to claim for it < 'f f Jm mouse ware
and I ■ss establishments,
having interests which extend to
c*v-ry The portion i’ilgrlms of th globe, first
proh ily v<-re the
Introducers of seeds nto this country,
lor they hrought iv h them seeds of
the pi,-infs cultivated by them in their
BEATING OUT TUCKY. HEMP SEU IN KEN¬
‘English and Dutch homes. These of
course were of such plants as were
considered necessaries of life-corn
barley and peas, while fruit trees
w< re also set out.
Early records show that in 1703,
Nathaniel Ulrd, a book-dealer of New¬
port, It. i., advert!- -■ garden seeds
just arrived from London. The fol¬
lowing year an iiinonncement was
made by Gideon Welles that be had
some choice Come - lient onion seeds
for - sale. I 11 New York city hemp and
flax weeds were advert! ed for sale 118
early as IT'D. Ifo inti, however, be¬
ing tho commercial cent-jr in the early
days, was the chief city for the sale
of garden seeds. I 11 1797 out of twen¬
ty six advertisers In the Boston Ga¬
zette, six were dealers in seeds. Dur-
Harvesting
Sorghum
Seed In
A<braska.
A Few
Fumpkins
For Seed
lug the War for Independence the ad -1
v , rti- uK of thin commodity ap|>ar-!
cutlv ceased, nlthoug i it is hardly he
licved that there wn not a time hut
v hut one could pun wise seeds in any
, £ the large cities f that period.
A Pioneer Seedsman.
Tn ihi, David uTUlreth commenced
operations in in that Philadelphia; city Bernard ill 1S00,
M'Muhon, Nipne same Thorburn began
while In 1805, Grnuf
to sell seeds in New York. By 1830
tlie population had increased from
about three million in 1790. to ten
ami a half millions. To meet the
growing demand for vegetables and
flowers, these ten and a half millions
required more "Aim, three and a half
times as many seeds as were used In
1790. Dealers established themselves
In tin' principal cities and crossed the
mountains.
Along with the reaching out for
trade cause the Increasing size and
prominence of the catalogue. The ear¬
liest seed catalogues were mere lists
not Intended for general distribution.
Thorburn probably issued the first
peed catalogue as early as 1823.
Shortly after the civil war the eata
logue became more prominent. Its
size was increased and a few illustra¬
tions appeared Novelties were not as
numerous today; twenty they years ago as they
much am attention wero not given so
either. Today there is
not considerable an important catalogue but gives
space to novelties,
{seedsmen are on the alert for novel¬
ties: they are tho money makers. The
modern catalogue, with its profusely
■ wl v in a sense the
UOW THE ELEriLVNT GOT HIS TUSKS.
seedman’s agent, is a text-book of hor¬
ticulture. Millions of those books find
their way into rural homes and
the basis by which the amateur
ener derives a knowledge of varietiei
and even methods of growing plant
under varied conditions.
Seed Growing a Big Industry
The seed trade ha 4 changed quite as
much as has tho catalogue, first with
its woodcut engravings, to excellent
141 "LBS.
half-tones and color plates. The bar¬
rel of peas first sold in Newport has
grown to hundreds of lings, and the
few thousand packets to millions. 'The
mod rn seed house lias every mechani¬
cal contrivance to aid in making the
business economical and systematic.
From the cellar to the mailing room
everything is so arranged that orders dis¬
may he DID <1 with accuracy and
patch. During tho late summer and
early fall catalogues are prepared for
mailing, and seeds peeked in Paulines
for distribution. While one hundred
letters a day was considered a large
business thirty years ago, some houses
now receive over six thousand daily
during the busy season.
Of course to supply this enormous
trade much attention must he paid to
the growing of the seed. The present
development of garden-seed growing
hegim when David Enndrelli estab
lislied a small seed farm at Philadel¬
phia in 1784. During the Civil War
tills country largely depended upon
foreign markets for seeds, hut between
I860 and ISTt) ns many seed farms
were established ns had been during
Die thirty years before the conflict.
Growers also became expert and the
market gardener found lie could get
from the seed men just as good seed
ns he could save himself and at less
Cost. The business of 'seed-raising in¬
creased rapidly after the war, farms
being established in various parts of
the eastern United States, in 1875
seed growing commenced in Califor¬
nia, when It V\\ Wilson planted 50
acres to boots, onions, lettuce and ear
rots for seed purposes.
Two Thousand Acre Seed Farm.
Frqm this licglnuing the business has
grown to enormous proportions. Now
a single firm of growers devotes annu¬
ally Onion some and 2.000 acres to seed crops.
lettuce are staple seed
crops, while kohl-raid, carrot, celery, leek, en¬
dive. kale, j arsnips and
pard y are all grown by California
seed growers.
While the census of 1890 showed
that there were in the United States
590 seed farms, containing 109.5S0 iu'eom
acres, tlie census of 1990 . with
plete returns, showed more than 2,500
seed farms. The Census Office made
an effort to eolloet sbitistles of seed
growing farms, but owing to the re¬
fusal of a number of the large firms
handling seed to furnish the names of
the farmers growing seed for them.
Hie information secured was very in¬
complete.
Not a small part of seed-growing is
devoted to tlie raising of flower seed
Flower seeds have been regularly
grown in this country for at least
years. The amount raised, even
the pH-sent time, is not sufficient
meet the trade and the greater part of
the flower-seed sold is imported from
Europe.
._________, Importance of Seed Testing.
• 1!i '“ : • ’ ot Tra dition great
deal of attention has been paid to
-• <-d testing for quality of germina¬
tion. Seeds have been floated or have
been heated until they popped; they
have bei-n broken and the fractur
noted; they ba.e Isom cut and judged
> by - the -■ - appearance --------------- of -» - the i - ‘— inside. 1j
Various experiment stations of the
United States have, for a long time,
paid much attention to practical seed
testing. The Department of Agricul¬
ture for nearly eight years has con
ducted a trial ground in connection
with its .seed laboratory where studies
of varieties are made. are
also planted of the vast quantities bi
seed sent out for Congressional dis¬
tribution. The Department has in fact
done much to purge the country of
dishonest seed dealers, and a large
force is constantly employed securing
seeds from dealers and testing them,
A CLOVER SEED STORE-HOUSE.
with regard to their germinative
and their trueness to name.
is great opportunity for adulter¬
and many farmers are apt to
they are saving money if they
get seeds at a reduced rate, find¬
out when it is too late that they
been swindled with false varie¬
or that perhaps 50 per cent, of
seeds fail utterly of germination.
Personal Seed Tests.
TVie average farmer, however, would
well to carry on a little seed test¬
establishment of his own each
and this course is advocated by
the Department of Agriculture. I 11
A CALIFORNIA ONION PATCH.
fact, the Department will send any¬
body a pamphlet describing simple
methods <d testing seeds.
Firms with any reputation behind
them can not afford to work off poor
seeds, and if a lot of seed is tested
and found to lie defective in germiua
tive qualities, the seedsmen will prob¬
ably stand ready to supply a good arti¬
cle in its place. The fault,in fact, may
not be the seedman’s. Although the
seed dealers attempt to convey tlie
Idea that they raise tlieir own "seeds
on tiieir own farms, such a practice is
manifestly impossible where vast sup¬
plies of sis'ds are furnished. They
raise some of tlie seeds, but large
quantity's are contracted for by them
with other growers and farmers, and
there is always a chance of the seeds¬
men themselves being imposed upon.
80 that it is weil for the
grower to test each batch of farm or
garden seeds which tie expects to
p yet. i ne test which he can make
v , show . mi nothing regarding vari
■ ve-: he may be getting a common
cabbage Instead _ of high-priced
some
noveltv. that can only he determined
at tlie end of tlie year; but the gov
ertim it experiments along this line
are effectually bolding the more irre¬
sponsible seedsmen in line, and the
fanner himself can check up with his
seedsmen on the question of germi¬
nation.
Seeds Germinate Quickly.
Most seeds will germinate in from
throe to ten days The apparatus re¬
quired is very simple—a pan. some
cotton flannel or cotton batting, a li'tle
water and a warm place in the
kitchen. A stitch in time often saves
nine, and a little trouble a month be
| fore planting time may make the
i farmer or the gardener considerable
! money and conduce greatly to his hap
i piness and good temper. Nothing is
(•.•rtainly more aggravating than to
pj ow> g ne |jj e ground well, plant, and
then, as the golden moments of spring
slip by, wait in vain for the young
plants to appear, or secure oniy a half
stand.
TUE WOODMAN’S STRIDE.
VVith a Long Swinging Step, He
Covers Much Ground and Pre¬
serves a Perfect Balance.
A woodman walks with a rolling
j motion, his hips swaying an inch or
more to the stepping side, and his pace
} i Is correspondingly long. His hip ac
tion may be noticed to an exaggerated
degree in the stride of a professional
pedestrian, hut the latter walks with a
heel-and-toe step, whereas an Indian’s
or sailor’s^tep is more nearly flatfooted.
In the latter case the center of gravity
is covered by the whole foot. The poise
is as secure as that of a rope walker.
The toes are pointed straight forward,
or even a trifle inward, so that the in¬
side of the heel, the outside of the ball
of the foot, and the smaller toes all do
their share of work and assist in bal-'
aneing. Walking in the woods in this
manner, one is not so likely to trip over
projecting roots, stones and other traps
as ho would be if the feet formed
hooks by pointing outward. The ad¬
vantage is obvious in snowshoeing. If
the Indian were turned to stone while
In the act of stepping, the statue would
probably stand balanced on one foot.
I His gait gives the limbs great control
over his movements. lie is always
poised. If a stick cracks under him it
is because of his weight, and not by
reason of the impact. He goes silently
on, and with great economy of force.
1 Ills* steady balance enables him to put
J 1 * 3 down as gently as you would
lay ail egg on the table.
American Cheese Production.
Twenty years ago the cheese supply
of Great Britain was largely furnished
by the United States, but to-day Can¬
ada has taken the lead and far out¬
stripped us as an exporter of this com¬
modity. in 1880 the United States
sent 131,208.^70 pounds of cheese to
Great Britain, while- in 1004 only
25,180,900 pounds were shipped to that
country. Canada, on the other hand,
exported over 31,000,000 pounds twen¬
ty-live years ago as against 212,862,322
pounds last year. This loss of trade,
however, lias not been injurious, but
on the other hand, is caused through
an excess of consumption at home over
production, while reverse conditions
prevail with our Canadian neighbor.
Canada was thus forced to seek the
British markets for her plethora and
to fill up the place left vacant in that
market by tlie withdrawal of the Unit¬
ed States therefrom.
While the United States, in
1900, manufactured nearly 282.000,000
pounds of cheese, the per capita fac¬
tory production was only 3.7 pounds,
whereas, Canada produced on the other hand, in 1901,
224,000,000 pounds,
inhabitant. furnishing nearly 41.8 pounds for each
It is therefore shown, by
a report from Consul-General Hollo¬
way, of Halifax, that the Canadian
export trade to which every one of
our neighbors points with pride was
not gained at the expense of the Unit¬
ed States, for they must export tlieir
cheese or get “snowed under.” The
United States can not keep up in pro¬
duction with our increasing home con¬
sumption.
Mulberry Fences.
There are but few fences in Ja¬
pan. The mulberry tree is planted in¬
stead, the leaves of which furnish food
for silk worms. Nearly 200,000 acres
are thus utilized.
CARRY J BIG STICK.
Cane Preferred to Revolver by
Detectives.
“President Roosevelt's epigram—
‘Speak softly and carry a big stick',
has been quoted all over the world”,
said an expert fencing master, who
lias taught sword practice in a dozen
of the world's capitals. “And it is
good advice literally as well as figu¬
ratively. Do not provoke quarrels;
avoid them if you can. But be pre¬
pared for a tight corner. Many night
policemen and detectives carry stout
canes in preference to revolvers. The
stick is always ready iu all wea¬
thers. The revolver must be car¬
ried in the pocket, and only an expert
can flash b m ihe instant. When
you are in a s' mtion where your stick
is needed do no. figure on using it as
a club. An agile man can dodge the
sweep of a stick, and knife you "Oarrv before
you recover vour guard. the
stick with the tip somewhat in ad
vanco. grasping it firmly six inches
or more below the knob or handle.
If you are confronted by an adver¬
sary give him a sudden, hard thrust
with the small end. The stomach is
a most vulnerable point, and if you "ten
catch him fairly the chances are
to one that he will double up like a
jack-knife. Before he recovers, you
can withdraw the stick and hand him
one on the head or the back of the
neck that will put him out of business
tor some time to come.
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NO OTHER WAGONS APPROACH
In Perfect Adaptability Under all Conditions to
The Strong Old Hickory
MANUFACTURED BY
| | Kentucky Wagon Manufacturing Co.
LOUISVILLE, KY.
LARGEST PRODUCERS OF FARM WAGONS IN THE WORLD
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Kirk’s
AMERICAN CROWN
SOAP
*s a green soap, consistency of paste, a perfect
cleanser for automobile machinery and al*
vehicles; will not injure the most highly
polished surface. Made from pure vegetable
oils. If ycur dealer does not carry American
Crown Soap in stock, send us his name and
address and we will see that your wants are
supplied. Put up in 12J4 25 and 50 lb pails,
James S. Kirk& Company
CHICAGO. III.
BOOKS— BOOKS
We have published some good ones spec¬
ially suited for farmers. Books that will help
every farmer to make more out of his farm
Write for our catalogue.
WElili PUBLISHING CO.,
St. Paul Minn.
Well Drilling
Machines
Over 70 sizes and styles for drilling
either of soil deep rock. or shallow wells in any kind
or Mounted on wheels or
sills. With engines or horse powers.
Strong, simple and durable. Any me¬
chanic can operate them easily.
SEND FOR CATALOGUE
WILLIAM BOOS., Ithaca, H. Y.
Repeaters
ara the original solid
top and side forms ejectors.
This featur® metal a
solid shield of
between the shooter’s
head and the cartridge
at all ........„, times, throws throws the the
empties away from him
instead of into his face,
prevents smoke and
gases from entering his
eyes and lungs, and
keeps the line of The sight
unobstructed.
MARLIN action
works easily and
smoothly, making Our very
little noise. new
automatic recoil-oper¬
ating locking the Marlin device the
makes breech-loading
safest built.
gun ever 120
page catalogue, 300 il¬
lustrations, cover in
nine colors, mailed for
three stamps.
The Marlin Fire Arms Co.
New Haven, Conn.
ftfte iRissoula ^ Rurserp I
«* Producers of Northern grown acclimated trees and the best !’
!■ ? varieties for planting in Northern States. £
Every Variety of Standard i: i
Fruit
\ FLOWERING Thoroughly THE EVERBEARING Ornamental, tested Apples, A Vines PLANTS SPECIALTY Small Pears, and Fruit r&tjk- Roses. Plums, Plants, STRAWBERRY OF AND - Cherries *•*.*•' Shrubs, U SHRUBS . and ♦»*7•** Trees — - Ji
I MISSOULA Cut shipped Flowers Mail by and express. orders Floral MISSOULA, have Designs. Catalogue NURSERY prompt MONTANA. Also and attention. Price Vegetable _ List Free. Plants CO. ? 'i
A QAlerter of
a Century
of unfailing service
proves the
ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY
of the
Remington
TyTEW'RITE'R
WYCKOFF, SEAMANS <5> BENEDICT
317 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
Sandwich
SELF FEED FULL CIRCLE TWO HORSE
HAY PRESS
The Baler for speed. Bales 12 to 18
tons a day. Has 40 inch feed hole.
Adapted to bank bam work. Stands up
to its work—no digging boles for wheels.
Self*feed Attachment increases cap¬
acity, lessens labor, makes better bales
and does not increase draft.
Seal for Catalogue
SANDWICH MFG. CO.,
12% Main Street, Sandwich , III
S I L O S
Pine, Fir, Cypress and Yellow Pine.
VPZSts for Catalogue.
Eagle Tank Co., 281 N. Green 8t.,
Chicago, 111.
IF YOU WANT A JACK
S e n d f c°s r cr^t r J a ^ ^t?f
tain t h e d io n
Hydraulic Jacks our Specialty
W atson-Stillman Co., - —
4<J L.e y St., N. Y. City.