The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-11-01
MANITOWOC'S SEED-GROWING
ESTABLISHMENT.

Manitowoc is primarily an agricultural
county and even should the city be
| blessed In the future with manufactures,
the chief interests of the county would
still center in the prosperity, aims and
future of its farmers. Whatever tends
to promote these interests, in quality of
products, means of cultivation or intelli-
gent discrimination in character of seed
sown, is of great Importance to the peo-
pie of the county generally while being
of special moment to the farming COM
munity. In this connection, the growth
of the business of MIR. Albert Landreth
of this city, the wholesale seed grower and
dealer, may properly, and deseryedly as
well, receive attention. Tho character
of the business done by Mr.. Landreth
has SO direct and intimate relation with
the future of the county, so important
bearing in determining the quality and
kind of crops adapted to the soil and
climatic conditions, so as to secure the
greatest measure of success, that it
/ comes almost duty for a newspaper
to give it the attention to which its
merits entitle it.
MIR. Landreth is a comparatively young
man, but his experience in dealing in,
and growing seeds has been so extensive
that all concede his business capacity.
The business in which he is engaged is
not one adopted as a business choice
from number because that it promised
greater financial returns. In his case
inherited taste sought the business. His
father was a seed grower during his life
time. 1t is a business which when
Systematically conducted, has strong
attractions for boy, and early predilec-
ton determined what Albert's future
business was to be. Today he has to
aid him in his business, the advantages
of long experience and knowledge of
seeds gained at that period of life when
the mind is formative, and hence when
impressions are deep and the knowledge
acquired SO readily available as to par
take of the nature of instinct. His
education was wholly in the direction
of the business for which he manifested
so early an aptitude, so that training and
taste combined to thoroughly fit him for
his calling.
In 1878 Mr.. Landreth began business
for himself in Sheboygan. But the
peculiar advantages enjoyed by Manito-
voc county as a growing section,
business center, where he has since
remained and where his business has
been constantly growing Until it has
assumed dimensions that have proved an
agreeable surprise to himself. The fore
sight which suggested removal to this
place has proved advantageous to him
self and decidedly beneficial to the
farmers of this county.
This year Mr.. Landreth purchased
some city property, centrally located,
and proceeded to erect a warehouse
which should be constructed so as to con
tribute to that system and order which
are characteristic of his manner of con-
Quoting business. That he succeeded
admirably visit to his warehouse will
amply testify and person interested in
agricultural matters will find visit there
both interesting and profitable. He will
find there samples of the different kinds
of grains, tuber and root crops, all pro-
perly labeled. He will become acquaint-
ed with the high character of the county
as pea growing district; and he cannot
fail to observe the thorough system with
which Mr.. Lrndreth manages his bust
ness, securing absolute purity in seeds
and excluding everything worthless or
foreign.
Mr.. Landreth is present at his ware
house constantly through the day, SO
that not bushel of any product is placed
in the warehouse until it has been sub
jected to his scrutiny. When you
examine the different variety of pease
and thus reach an appreciation of the
difficulty Of perceiving, unaided, their
Distinguishing features, you will properly
estimate the importance of having man
in charge whose experience enables him
to determine instantly the variety he
examines. Everything is properly lab
eled under his supervision so that chance
and good fortune are made to yield to
certainty,
After all needed care in growing,
harvesting and storing to guard agalnt
mixture, the pease are subjected to
thorough cleansing process so that moth
ing which is not good in quality and
perfect in germ shall leave the ware
house. This is effected by hand picking.
The department where this is done is on
the upper floor of the warehouse; and here
are employed through the season about
80 girls, selected mainly with reference
to the thoroughness with which they do
their work, and engaged by the day
instead of ''by the job" SO that there
may be no inducement Cor haste which
might lead to negligence. The careless
ones have been weeded out and now the
40 al work are wholly reliable. All
foreign substance, pease which would
not terminate, thosa which are of q
different variety from the ones being
eleansed and injured or imperfect ones
are carefully excluded and thus are Sc
cured pease without refuse, admixture
or adplteration. This hand piching pro-