The San Francisco call., 1903-12-21
San Luis Obispo
Extends It's
Market.
Garden Seeds Are
ThriVing G in
New Field.
BY W. vi. ENT.

that OF seed growing is taking a most
important place. The soil and climatic
conditions prevailing in this county
seem wonderfully well adapted to the
production of all kinds of flower and
garden seeds and the business has al
ready assumed important proportions %
This is due not alone to the wonderful
producing qualities of the SOIL but the
invigorating fOgs which come in from
the ocean are important factors in the
success of this industry.
About ten years ago the advantages
offered by portions of this county were
grasped by z. w. Steele, one of the
pioneers and large land owners of the
county who began experimenting in
this direction in the Arroyo Grande
Valley in collaboration with T. II. Nc
Clure. The first experiment was a sue
cess beyond the expectations of the ex-
perimenters, though the first crop, Ow-
ing to the small area planted, sold for
only $500. The following year seeds to
the value Of $500 were raised. The
gentlemen named were in the decline
Of life and it was left TO L. C. ROut-
zahn, a ccl-in-law of Mcclure. to de-
velop the industry in this county,
AOREIS Ot MEEI HfsAS.
While on a visit to California for his
health Mr.. Rcutzahn became interested
in the business Of Mcclure. His inter
est became deeper and his visit was
protracted until he becaL.e a resident
of the county. A company was organ
lied ard the business was extended to
much larger proportions. Every year
the acreage planted to seed crops has
been increased until now several hun
dred acres are in cultivation, giving
employment to many men and children.
The company is said to have farmed
more land in 1903 than any other seed
firm in the Stato with one possible ex-
ception. 1t has grown more satisfy
seed during the past few years than
any other seed farm in the United
States, and 1t is also the largest pro-
ducer of nasturtium seed. Much at
tention is also given TO the cultivation
of sweet peas and every year larger
area is sown. The sweet pea fields OF
the Arroyo Grande Valley are show
places Of the county.
1t has been the custom Of Mr. Rout-
zahn for many years to donate TO the
ladies of the churches Of Arroyo
Grande millions Of sweet pea blossoms,
and in June of each year the Arroyo
Grande Sweet Pea Fair is held. This
event aIternates among the sects rep
resented in Arroyo Grande. Annually
the interest increases and practically
the whole population Of this section at
tend. It's fame is bound to attract Wis
itors from distant places.
DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY.
Attention has been given not only to
the few varieties already mentioned,
but nearly all kinds of seeds have heen
grown in this county and all the prod
uct has found a ready market with the
large Eastern dealers. This year, at
the beginning Of the season. orders for
more than $4,000 worth OF seed were
turned down as had been made for the
entire crop. The large orders were due
to the excellent quality and remarkable
fertility of the San Luis ObispO seeds.
A number Of experiments conducted
by one of the prominent Eastern deal
ers with seeds raised in this county
has made a record for the local product
Of over 80 per cent OF fertility. Eastern
grown seed as a rule will not germinate
after the second year. but California
product preserves it's vitality for many
wears Peter Henderson of New York
a few years since experimental with
variety of seed grown in this county,
five years old, and 80 per cent Of the
seed under the test terminated
Last year the product of one COM
many sold for S35, 900. The same con-
Germ received 900 for it's crop. Farm
ing is carried on over a large area.
Last September z. NJ. Haven Of South
Haven. Mich, decided that This locality
offers better inducements than the
other parts Of the state with which he
is familiar. In Michigan Mr.. Haven
conducted a large business. farming
from four to six hundred acres each
wear and he desires to engage in the
business in this county on equally as
large a scale. The operations will be
confined to the vicinity Of Arroyo
Grande for the present year.
OTHER OPERATIONS.
Victor Johansen, who is located
short distance north Of Arroyo Grande,
commenced experimenting in seed
growing some four or five years ago.
The coming season he will farm from
one hundred to one hundred and fifty
acres. producing seeds OF many thou
sand. dollars in value and giving re-
munerative employment to many peo-
pie.
John Badger. formerly engaged in
seed growing in the southern part OF
the State, has acquired fOrty-acre
tract near Arroyo Grande and 1t is
probable that more land Will be rented.
d. d. Barnard has been experiment.
ing in seed growing a few miles north
of San Luis ObispO. His experiments
establish the fact that there is large
area in the county which can be profit
ably devoted to the business.
Smaller growers have been engaged
in seed farming in the vicinity Of Ar
royo Grande for a few years. All have
met with success and are gradually
increasing their acreage The business
has proved very profitable. There has
never been a failure. though all crops
have been grown without irrigation
If past successes are any forerunner
of the future San Luis Obispo County
fsr soor 70 become known as one OF the