Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-04-30

the Farmers Week course Of University OF
Maine.l
Il has been repeatedly and abnndantly
demonstrated that primary factor in pro
fitable crop production is the use OF good
seed. Practical plant breeding has shown
that it is possible by proper methods OF
seed selection and breeding greatly TO In
crease the yield OF all the common farm
crops 1t is from every standpoint desira-
Bile that the farmers Of Maine should take
advantage of the benefits that are to be
derived from the use OF pure seed of high
grade aud bred for produetive-qualities
There are three primary and fundamen-
tai needs in connection with the seed
situation in this State. The first OF these
| is there is the need for the much wider
development by the farmers OF Maine of
the production OF high-grade seed OF the
| common farm crops as a business in and
| OF ITSELF At the present time very few
farmers in Maine, outside of the potato
/ growing districts OF Aroostook, can be
said to be engaged in seed production as
| business. This is condition OF affairs
which needs to be changed.
/ The production OF pure, high-grade, inn
proved seed is one of the most profitable
/ lines OF business in which the farmer can
engage. II requires no special ability
| beyond sound common-sense, good farm
ing methods. and willingness to give
careful and psinstaking attention to
small details which may seem unimport-
ant, but which the seed-grower receives
excellent pay for looking after.
The second primary need is for the more
| general use OF pure and improved seed by
1 the farmers OF the State in ordinary crop
| ping operations. The majority of farmers
give very little care or thought 10 the
| quality of the seed which they use. IL it
will sprout and grow, it is accepted as
satisfactory. There must be more general
| recognition of the fact that this is not
enough.
The progressive farmer is demanding
| that the seed which he plants for the
staple farm crops shall fulfil at least the
| following requirements: 1t shall be pure,
! produce true to type, be homegrown"
| (thst is, produced at least within the
| borders of the state where il is used), and
4 sudil uANt tatAt AAtttl u 5AiaiB WHICH ~
known to yield well and produces product
OF high quality.
The third fundamental need is for
a more general recognition of the import
anee of the use of locally-adspted seed,
which means locally produced seed. That
is TO say, not only should seed production
as business be encouraged in Maine be-
cn,,us ~ II ,.rns.a hIapnas as a lima ~ sar,,,
ing business to the producer, but also be-
cause of the value to the agriculture of the
State of having a supply OF homegrown
and locally adapted seeds.
The environment is an important fac
tor in crop production, and it is every day
becoming more evident that the best re-
suits can only be obtained with seed
which is adjusted or adapted to local con-
ditions. Such adjustment can never be
obtained except by the continued use OF
locally grown seed.
UnquestionsbIy, much can be done to-
wards the meeting OF these fundamental
needs in regard to the seed situation by
the Maine seed Improvement association.
After careful analysis OF conditions, it
seems probable that all OF the three needs
may be most effectively met by paying at
mentioned; that Is, the promotion OF the
business of seed production within the
borders OF our State.
The primary aim OF the seed improve
ment association should be the encourage
ment OF the production OF high grade, inn
proved seed by its members. But any
seed-improvement association can only
work effectively towards this end by max
ing itself directly valuable to those in the
State who are engaged in the seed-produc-
ing business. This has been very well
done by the Canadian seed growers
association, and 1t seems likely that by
modelling its work somewhat after that OF
the Canadian association. much good can
be accomplished by the Maine seed inn
provement association
Specifically, it would seem desirable to
develop the work of the association along
the following lines:
1. To make it evident that the seed inn
provement association has for its aim the
encouragement OF Impoverished pro-
duction as q business by restricting active
membership in the association to those
W bo are actually engaged in the production
of seed as distinct and separate element
of their business of farming.
2. To require, rs does the Canadian seed
growers association, that no person can
be admitted TO active membership in the
association until he has shown evidence of
an honest intention to engage in ssed-pro-
dnctioa as a business by growing seed
under inspection by Representatives of the
association during q probationary period
OF two years. With such q qualification
for membership as this, it would mean
| something to be an active member OF the
| Maine seed Improvement association. Ii
would mean, among other things, that
every active member was in the way Of be-
| ing qualified expert seed grower.