The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1929-11-01
STATE COLLEGE
WEEKLY LETTER
Grimm Warning

BoZeman, Oct. 30.-A warning
against the so called affidavit
Grimm" alfalfa seed which in
many cases is nothing but com
mon seed without the hardness or
other excellent qualities of true
Grimm is being sounded by the
Montana extension service in Mon
tana and in eastern states where
Montana seed is sold.
1t has been found, according to
Waldo Kidder, extension agrono-
mist. that Grimm alfalfa is the
best variety for the northern half
of the United States. For that
reason Montana and other north
ern states where climatic condi-
tions are favorable for the produc-
ton of seed Of high quality have
established official inspection and
registration systems. Seed that
meets the stringent requirements
for registration is sold in sealed
bags and properly labeled so that
the buyer has authentic informa-
ton about the seed he is buying.
Because registered Grimm alfal-
ia seed has gained a wide reputa-
ton for it's quality a demand has
developed that exceeds the supply
and consequently such seed brings
a substantial premium over COM
mon alfalfa seed. Now certain
dealers who are either unscrupu-
lous or do not understand the sit
uation are selling seed known as
affidavit Grimm" and thus cap
italizing on the reputation of a
bonafide Grimm seed. Much of the
affidavit Grimm is merely com
mon alfalfa seed, Mr.. Kidder stat
es. In fact, according to the ag-
economist, instances have been re-
ported where seed from the same
lot has been sold both as "affi-
davit Grimm" and affidavit Cos
sack.
1t is for the purpose if putting
both seed growers and seed buy
ers on their guard against such
Misrepresentation that the agron-
omist issues the warning. Mr.. Kid
der believes that many farmers
in eastern states have been dis
couraged from growing alfalfa be-
cause of their d~iscouraging exper-
fences with seed they supposed
was genuine, hardy Grimm when
it was nothing but common seed.
Seed Potatoes
Save enough good seed potatoes
for next springs planting needs,
urges F. NJ. Harrington, horticul-
turist at Montana State College.
Potato prices are high and there
is every temptation to sell every
thing that the market will take,
but he points out that it may be
expensive and discouraging to
have to shop around for seed
next spring.
The horticulturist is of the opin-
ion that commercial potato grow
ers of the state may well follow
the practices of the most success
full potato growers in other areas.
Many growers of the south and
west know that certified seed po-
taties of certain strains grown in
Montana are of superior value,
from the standpoint of freedom
from diseases and the production
of high yields of marketable stock.
At the same time, many growers
in the state are still using infer
ior seed and getting correspond
ingly inferior results.
This year the urge to sell ev-
erything possible because of high
prices will be particularly strong
and unless farmers hold back
enough of their own good seed or
make arrangements now to get
such seed, either next years po-
tato acreage will be reduced or
inferior seed will be used for
planting. Mr.. Harrington urges
the widest use Of Montana certi-
fed seed potatoes for planting in !