The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-09-13
IN THE INTERESTS OF AMERICAN
FARMERS.

From Rochester N. " Democrat and Chronicle,
At the meeting OF the commission for re-
vision of the tariff in Rochester on August
Goth, communication was read from Hi
ram SibIey Il Co., the great Rochester and
Chicago seedsmen, Of which the following
is a full copy;
John L. Hayes, President, and gentlemen
of the Tariff Commission
Whereas, A certain firm OF seedsmen
have addressed you advocating an increase
to 100 per cent. OF the duty On imported
seeds, we beg leave to submit:
Flrst--That there are probably less than
100 persons who make business of grow
ing seeds 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.
Second The assertion that seeds in Eu.
rope are grown by pauper labor is mis-.
take, as the most skilled farm workmen Of
Europe are employed by the seed growers,
and the work is done, as rule, mere care
fully and better than in this country. The
assertion that the home industry is capable
OF supplying In superior form all the
wants OF the country, with the exception OF
few unimportant articles" is incorrect.
Climate has an important influence on the
development Of seeds, and many kinds can.
not be grown to perfection in this country;
further, 1t 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. All vegetable
seeds, with the exception of beet, carrot,
lettuce, onion, parsnip and turnip, are
grown in greater perfection in Europe, and
Lence more for the interests of the Ameri-
can farmers; and the sane is true of all
flower seeds
Third-The assertion that the climate
of Europe is more favorable to the produc.
ton OF seed, is true but from the above
of fact this is evidently an arguement
against rather than for high tariff, and it
is in the interest of American farmers and
not prejudical to American seed growers.
Fourth-The assertion that American
grown seeds by reason Of their aCclimation
are better adapted to American needs, and
are preferred by American cultvators is a
mistake, except in cases of varieties above
mentioned
Therefore, we advocate in the interest
the American farmers and seed dealers, thief
abolition OF import duties on all flower
seeds and vegetable seeds, except beet, car
rot, lettuce, onion, parsnip and urnip, upon
which there is no objection TO low tariff
of 10 or 30 per cent. We assert that it is
not night to impose high tax upon seven
million seed users Tor the benefit of one
hundred seed growers
The policy of a tariff upon seeds seems
at war with the policy Of the government,
which now distributes seeds Of food crops
freely among growers Again, the present
determinations 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, according to the present
policy of the government, which admits
live stock for breeding purposes duty free.
Respectfully submitted,
HIRAM SHELLEY a. co.
After the reading of the above letter, Mr..
Sibley, who was present, made an argue
mcnt in defense OF the letter, expressing
himself in favor of the abolition of import
duties on all flower seeds, and on al vege-
table seeds except beet, carrot, lettuce,
onion, parsnip and turnips.
Mr.. Sibley was introduced by President
Hayes as the largest farmer in the world
who after finishing his statement, gave
some facts as to his farming AMI other
business interests. He is tho owner Of 143
farms which he rents to tenants, and still