The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-24
Seed Distribution

"A
 There is hardly any subject 'hat
 the general public is more ignorant
 of than the growing and distribu-
 tion of seed Many believe that the
 seed merchant who issues the elab- crate catalogue and gives pictures of
 seed farms is the producer of the seed he sells. These pictures of seed farms are often real pictures of trial
 grounds maintained by the larger seed houses, as test or trial grounds. to try out new varieties before put
 ting them in their catalogS Oftsn no seed Is gathered from such trials, because being tested with other re-
 lated varieties, the product of any
 succeeding crop from such crossed up seed would likely be worthless.
 There is, of course. real or actual
 grower, but he may be some ob- scure farmer, located in varioals parts of the globe, and has the seed he
 produces already sold to a contract
 grower or seed merchant before he
 ever plants the crop. The seed dealer buys mostly from a contract grower.
 This is more often the middle man
 between the actual planter and tho
 seed dealer. These contract men
 usually furnish the planting seed look after the cultivation, harvesting
 and cleaning. and finally make de- livery to the merchant.
 It requires great organization and
 capital to operate a big contract business as operations may extend all
 over the earth.
 One-HOrse Farmer
 You often see published in bull letins and farm papers the average
 yearly income from farms located in the different states of the union. We are always pained to see the low averages in the southern states az compared to northern and western states, notwithstanding. in the south there is two to three times longer growing period in the 12 months.
 There are. of course, many contribus-
 ing factors that account for the wide difference. but one of the chief fac tors and the one that could be eliminated to a great extent, is the | question of farm equipment Too often in the south a one-horse far 1 mer's equipment consists of a sim gle animal, one wooden blow stock. scooter blow, shovel, sweeps and twister or turning pfow share. He really accomplishes wonders with such tools and no northern farmer could do better and few as well. But 1 the northern or western farmer WOuiQ nOl anu dOH attempt lO HOih | his farm with such inadequate equip
 ment. He uses the latest up-to-the- i minute cuitivators, harrows anu
 every other farm appliance that will lessen his own or animals labor. Better methods are coming slowly, but conservatism holds the south
 back, and it is a great problem to rid ourselves of this real disease. 
 -N
 1 The question of quality of shipped , produce Is a constant source of mis-
 understanding and disappointment and while everything else seems tA l be coming under regulation, it would be highly desirable for all concerned 1 to so standardize farm products as l to do away with this continual strife. The United States government is l helping out the situation by estab- 1 fishing In certain large markets in- | spectors to examine produce and grade it according to some accepted standard of perfection. The govern ment cannot place inspectors in all | markets, and if they did. tho shippers would have to be made acquainted with all the requirements In order to | so select and pack his produce ss to reach the expected grade. This ques- | ton of quality and grading will have I to be worked out by farm organiza- tions in collaboration with lawful agents. who must be the final judge 1 in any and all disputes. Under the present plan the grower often gets l the worst of 1t. as often the railroad may be to blame. yet manage to side step responsibility as no competent evidence Is available to saddle them with the blame.
 Questions and Answers c. In planting onion buttons that
 are stuck together in great clusters l do you separate them entirely and plant each little individual one alone l Mrs. B., Mobile.
 | A. There are many types of mui- 1 tiplying onions, and with most va