The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-09-20
TARIFF ON SEEDS.

When the rowing tariff commission .
few weeks ago was at Rochester, N. Y,
there appeared before 1t "certaln orators"
hired by Wick, the Landreths, and other
growers Of garden seeds, who made long
arguments In favor of an increase of the
duty on foreign grown seeds. In opposi
ton to these appeared Col. Hiram Sibley,
| who claims to cultivate more acres for
raising seed than all the other seed
growers in the country combined, and sub
mitted cogent and forcible argument in
favor of free trade IN seed. Mr.. Sibley Is
not only the largest grower of garden seeds,
but is the largest farmer IN the world, be-
Ing the owner of one hundred and forty.
three farms which he rents 10 tenants, and
still larger numbers which he cultvates
He Is the owner of the famous 10000 acre
Sullivant farm in Ford county, this state,
and of the Rowland Island farm in Cayuga
county, the largest farm IN the state of
New York. His argument,w which was quite
lengthy, he afterwards summarized for the
commission Is follows:
/. That there are probably less than
100 persons who make business OF grow
ing seed in the United States, and that the
wages of the one or two thousand employees
OF The seed growers and seed dealers are IN
! no way influenced by either high or low
tariff on imported seeds as they are not
grown to any considerable extent in Amer.
lea.
.. The assertion that seeds In Europe
are grown by pauper labor is mistake,
as the most skilled farm workmen OF Eu-
rope are employed by the seed growers,
and the work is done, as a rule, more care.
fully and better than in this country. The
assertion that the home industry is "capa-
BILE Of supplying in superior form all the
wants of the couDtry with the exception OF
few unimpertant articles" Is incorrect.
Climate has an important Influence on the
development of seeds, and many kinds can
not be grown to perfection ia this country;
further, it Is almost impossible to get farm
ers to grow seeds, even Of the varieties
which may be grown to perfection in the
varied climate OF the states. Allvegetable
seeds, with the exception Of beet, carrot,
lettuce, onion, parsnip and turnip, are
grow IN greater perfection IN Europe and
hence more tor the interest of American
farmers; and the same is true of all flower
seeds.
3. The assertion that the climate Of Eu.
rope Is more favorable to the production of
seed Is true; but from the above statement
of fact this is evidently an argument
against rather than for high tariff, as 1t
is in the interest OF American farmers and
not prejudcial to American seed growers.
4. The assertion that American grown
seeds, by reason OF their acclimatlon, are
better adapted to American needs and are
preferred by American cultivators Is a MIS-
take, except in cases Of varieties above
mentioned.
OF American farmers and seed dealers, the
abolition Of import duties on all flower
seeds and vegetable seeds, except beet, car
rot, lettuce, onion, parsnip and turnip
upon which there Is no objection to low
tariff of 10 or 20 per cent. We assert tina.
II is not right 10 impose high tax upon
seven million seed users for the benefit OF
one hundred seed growers.
| The policy of tariff upon imported
seeds seems at war with the policy of the
government, which now distributes seeds
Of food crops freely among growers.
Again, the present discrimination against
certain grains for seeds IN favor OF grains
for food is unjust; if any difference Is made
it should be in favor of the seed, accord.
ing to the present policy Of the government,
which admits live stock tor breeding pur.
poses duty free.