The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-12
We Need Pure Seed Laws.

n
last twenty years. In so far the interest
Of the farmer is concerned, II is development OF
the last ten years
In this new interest Il is little wonder that
there is much exaggeration OF the benefits result
ing from seed selection. Claims OF marvellous IN
crease in yield from seed selection should be duly
discounted. The sellers OF seeds who claim
that by a few years selection they have been able
to double and treble the yield OF any OF our staple
crops must be put down impostors the cred
ulity OF the public.
To justify seed selection and plant breeding. TO
encourage the expenditure OF millions In efforts
to increase even slightly the yield OF our largely
grown crops. have only 10 remember that II
by any means the yield OF cotton fields can be
increased 10 per cent II means the addition OF
eighty millions OF dollars TO the wealth OF tho
South each year. 10 increase the yield OF the
corn OF the United States by one-,enth-add be-
tween two and three bushels to the yield per
acre-wil be to increase the wealth OF the country
a hundred million dollars
With this and quckened interest In better
seeds and the realization OF the tremendous ag-
eregate results which win follow the use OF better
varieties OF plants the demand for improved seeds
for planting Ia growing with bewildertng rapidity
This is all good and means much for the agricui-
ture OF the South. but II also has IT'S dangers and
its difhculties. Men are seeking to supply tho
demand who are not competent 20 Judge select or
put on the market improved seeds Many honest
men are causing disappointment and financial loss
to their patrons because they do not know tho sim
PIE rndiments OF the business OF plant breeding
and seed selection. Others seeing the demand
and the opportunity for reaplng n rich harves.
from the unntelligent desire of the mass OF farm
ers Tor improved seeds. are using unscruplous
methods and gross exaggeratons by which TO palm
o' do improved seed. common and inferior seeds
VI no special value Improved % seed corn and
COTTON SEED are being offered which have not been
seiected or improved In any way and In the Of
iort 10 supply the demand. worthless. impure and
aauiterated seeds becoming so common ma IN
Constitute question of great financial Importance
TO farmers
ihese conditions are In this country and
they demand new laws and new measures for
.Her control Every State in tho Union must en-
act ana enforce pure seed laws and the uni,ed
states must enact and rigldly nforea aws sor ,ha
'oh'roi Oh interstate trade in seeds These must
o'e"tuaiiy come, as certain as night followa day
Au At 10 ALREADY time that our Legislatures and
49, iiee'ihs pubic agricultural questions
u give them serious consideration. IL will
1aNe years OF experience to properly adins, tbeaa
avs 70 the protection OF the farmers who buy
SEEDS ana or honest seedsmen: bur tho tim. he.
iifeu LOT activity along this line and the sooner
=. s'aFt the more millions viii be saved
-, "' "iets IN the purchase OF worthless and
- 9eeus' Inc Farmers Union and other far
1870 ie"niNatlohs can we'll afford to make this
leading question In their campaign, for lag,s,a-
oion LOT the protection of their interests In this
"oe me protection of the farmer can do no inius-
.ee 70 any legitimate business or interest I, "a a
estimate and needed protection which tho bnvers
'oeus must and will secure within the next few
',r anu the demand is urgent that there be no
unnecessary delay In obtaining tbio nooasa D1 No
The rapid growth of the business 10 ran-
10y 10y developing serious conditions which demand