Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-09
Cheap Seeds.

We are all DESTROYS in the purchase of
field and garden seeds to get the most for
our money. but it often happens that not
sufficient discrimination is used in our
purchases because of the alluring offers
Of some seedsmen offering a large number
of packages of seeds at a very low price.
which frequently either fail 10 terminate,
or prove to consist of very inferior sorts.
thus DANA ging the purchasers in the ex-
pected results. Well established firms can
not afford the risk of offering inferior
seeds. They quote their wares at as low
prices as strictly fresh and reliable seeds
can be grown. but there is a class of job
bers who buy seeds wherever they can Sc
cure them at the lowest figures without
examination as to their genuiness or free
dom from noxious weeds. In fact few of
these people know enough of the seed
growing business to be ena bled to distin-
guish a good from a bad article and do
not concern themselves as to results. il
may interest. our readers to know that the
bulk of the flower seeds sold IN this coun-
try is raised in France. England and
Germany, but few persons outside of the
commercial seed business realize the ex-
tent of some of the seed farms in differ
ent parts of Europe. The old established
firm of Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co, of Paris,
France. is undoubtedly the largest that
exports seeds TO this country. 1t has been
established nearly a century and conduct
ed under the most careful system. Seeds
arc grown with reference to the most ia
vorable localities as TO soil and climate.
therefore their seed farms are found in
various sections of France. each farm
being in charge of we'll trained scien-
tific manager. where only a given number
of varieties of seeds are grown, and sus-
ceptible of attaining to their greatest per-
lection. In this manner some varieties of
,,,1x~ h. xrTff1 q
greatest purity, but also at less cost than
they could be grown in less favorable or
suitable localities.
But as even the climate of France is not
suited to the production of many seeds
of exotic plants that firm has business
ramifications all over the world, and moth
ing is purchased that cannot be fully guar
anteed as to genuineness. Again, all seeds
are tested before being sent out thus
knowing what per cent will sprout. and
anything where the percentage is below
certain figure is destroyed.
The leading seed growing firms near
Erfurt: Germany are also noted for the
extent OF their seed farms and the care
they bestow upon their management. Here
are perhaps seen the largest consolidated
flower seed farms of the world-helds OF
LOCO acres being entirely devoted to now
ers of numerous varieties. One field OF
100. acres contained nothing but Asters Of
the various forms of that species. An
other consisted of thirty-five acres OF
pahsies A great deal OF attention is paid
i'm the artificial pollenation of flowers,
some classes being especially shy seed
bearers unless so treated. This conse-
quently increases the cost Of the seed. we
were once told by one of New York's most
reliable seedsmen, that he saw in Eng
land a large greenhouse filled with par
ticular strain of petunias grown for the
production OF double flowers by cross
formulation and that all the seed which
was gathered from these plants did not NIL
the bowl OF soup spoon, the value being
estimated at $500, a package of p seeds
being considered cheap at 81. Yet we ind
many packages containing several hum
dred seeds of petunias as offered in cheap
John lots at FIVE cents each, and said 10
be Of the best strains.
From California come many excellent
seeds and there are also many exceeding
lv reliable seed growers throughout the
United States who find no difhculty In ais
posing of their products to well esta0-
lished firms who knowing these SEEDS 70
be pure and genuine find there large
portion of their supplies and can sell
them under their guarantee.
While we'll established seedsmen can al
WAYS guarantee their seeds and oner
them at prices according to their cost OF
production, there are jobbing concerns
that offer similarly named varieties OF
seeds at much lower prices and often
under the most extravagant claims as TO
their value and here is where many pur-
chasers are deceived. but as they look
only to the cheapness of the. article no
one but themselves is to blame if deceived,
for getting apparently the most for
small amount OF money. No pure seed can
be procured below A given price. IN
some years these may vary according TO
climatic conditions, and any one that
offers seed for FIVE cents package that
cost ten cents to produce, is not dealing
fairly with his customers.
The iudicious investment in seeds from
reliable firms is the best economy; trying
to save a few cents in buying cheap seeds
often entails the loss of a crop OF vege-
tables that should have supplied the
needs of a family Again. /One must not
forget the danger of Introducing noxious
weeds in the purchase of cheap seeds or
seeds grown without due care.
A few years ago many fields became in
tested with the yellow thistle (cirsium
horridu luml seed of which was mixed
with Texas oats, and entailed a vast ex-
pense of labor and money in Kidding the
lands of this pest. We lately saw several
sacks OF wheat exhibited at the Georgia
state fair that were not carefully freed
from chess and corn-cockle (agrostemma
Githago). which made it necessary for the
purchases to clean the wheat before SOW
ing. From these remarks it is TO be
deducted that he who recklessly buys the
cheapest seeds that he finds offered, in
creases the possibilities of a failure in the
results and must throw the blame upon
himself for expecting to secure an article
below its real market value.
D.