. rommercial l/Orncr m BY DON WERTMAN, PRESIDENT Pennsylvania Seedsmen Association Editors note: In a senes of articles, the President of Pennsylvania Seedsmen Association discusses the development and need for the seed industry in Penn sylvania the nation and the world. Wertman has been a part of the industry for the past fifteen years, holding various offices in the association as well as in other seed related organizations. He is General Manager of Seedway Inc. Ernmaus, Penna. These JTJ TO SERVE YOU BETTER LANCASTER, PA MIXED FERTILIZER AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS ROYSTER BONANZA AND CROP SPECIALS gB /Fertjffier&l articles are written ex clusively for Lancaster Farming. The story of seed is as old as that of man himself. The author of Genesis writes: “Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit m which is their seed accormg to its kmd upon the earth,” and it was so. Jesus used the story of seed on the basis for many of his parables. So it is that seed has been of tremendous import to mankind from time immemorial. The seed industry did not develop overnight. It is the R/K AGRI SERVICE (Royster / Kirby) 500 Running Pump Rd., Lancaster, Pa. 17601 Where weed control is toughest, spot treat with BANVELSG granules herbicide The last thing you need around the farm are patches of Canada thistle, bindweed, spurge, knapweed, ragweed So clean em out with Banvel 5G herbicide, the powerful, easy-to-apply granular herbicide Banvel 5G can prevent perennial weeds from going to seed and spreading to your productive fields There's no waste Use only as much Banvel 5G as you need exactly where you need it Ask us for your supply of Banvel 5G granules herbicide from Velsicol Before using any pesticide read the label R/K AGRI SERVICE • Large Enough to Serve • Small Enough to Care ★ WRITE OR CALL ★ IN PA. 1-800-732-0398 OUTSIDE PA. : 7: 7-299-2541 culmination of man’s in stinct and initiative over the centuries to provide himself and his family a more secure and abundant life. The fable of Jack and the Beanstalk illustrates the desire to fmd a magic seed that will change our want into plenty. The search for more productive seed is an ongoing process Although much has been accomplished, scientists are still searching for more productive seed. Seed which can be utilized in producing food and fibre which will go a long way toward alleviating some of man’s most critical problems. Is Seed that important 7 Yes! Nine tenths of the food consumed in the world emulates from the planting of seed. Without cultivated MATERIALS FOR BLENDING OR DIRECT APPLICATION... UREA (GRANULAR) AMMONIUM NITRATE - NITROGEN SOLUTION □(AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE TRIPLE SUPERPHOSPHATE SUPER PHOSPHATE MURIATE OF POTASH GRANULAR ZINC BORATE (GRANULAR) MICRONUTRIENT MIX 46% 331/2% 30% 46% 20% 60% 22% 68% 4-40-0 BanvalSG im a crops which are utilized for human and animal con sumption, the earth could only provide for thirty million rather than its current four plus billion inhabitants. Cultivated plants also produce many other organic substances which are utilized in our modem society. During the centuries that we have cultivated plants, many substitute or alternate resources have been utilized in production such as; Chemical fertilizers, artificial light, irrigation, contrived growing media, but we have never found a substitute for seed. The first person to save a gram of seed which he hoped would grow another plant, was the first seedsman. The practice of saving seed is ancient by any Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 2,1950—C29 standards. In some species we still collect and save seed without much extra manipulation. Many can remember Grandfather selecting the finest ears of corn whose gram he would use for planting. Grandma saved melon and cucumber seed for her garden. Meanwhile plant scientists were uncovering the secrets of heredity and plant genetics. Ways were found to mcrease a plants produc tivity by regulating reproduction. Inbreeding, crossing, isolating, were new methods used to improve existing species or create new varieties. As practical applications were discovered for these new methods specialists were needed to implement them. These specialists have become known as seedsmen. Specialized farming operations developed for the sole purpose of providing superior planting stock for the general agriculture. Today there are thousands of seed farms across the country, producing not only enough seed for American farmers but for producers throughout the world. Is the Industry needed today? More so than ever. Scientific advances have touched most every species of plant from corn to cucumbers, cabbage to wheat, sunflower to mangolds. We have hybridized, mutated, selected, and cross-polinated everything in sight, resulting in the most productive seed vaneties the world has ever known. The seed industry con tinues to meet the challenge of science and the producer in developing techniques and practices which bring a WOLF’S HEAD SPECIAL DUTY OIL WOLF'S HEAD TRACTOR HYDRAULIC ■ TRANSMISSION FLUID LUBRICANT Held Performance qualified for use by the following- In ternational Harvester Hy-Tran Fluid B-6, Case JIC-143, 144, 145, John Deere 303, J-148 and J-20A, Massey Ferguson M-1127 and M-1129A, Allis Chalmers Power Fluid 821, and Ford ESN-M2CS3A and M2CI34A, Min neapolis Molme-Oliver Fluid Q 1722. Available in 55-gallon drums, 5 gallon utility, and 6-1 gallon packages CALL 215-395-2542 For Prices! ERNEST B. CLAUSER FARM MACHINERY SERVICE SUCCESSOR TO BENJ.W CLAUSER RT. 2, BOX 682, WESCOSVILLE, PA. LOCATED ON RUPPSVILLE ROAD PHONE: 215-395-2542 more reliable and product tive seed to the farmer, gardener and florist. Today the industry foots a large bill for research. Basic research but also practical research in areas of seedling vigor, seed growing and handling techniques, packaging, and ultimate utilization by the producer. In many instances ten years of research are in volved in the development and testing of a new variety. With today’s costs, millions are spent of private and public monies to further the development of new varieties and technologies. Seedsmen have become very responsible individuals. They must plan years m advance for the single production of a given variety. Seed stocks must be built up, starting with as little as several grams of seed. Purity and quality must be maintained, as many seeds are regulated and controlled bylaw. Seedsman face the same challenges of weather and climate as do the general farmer but with the added responsibility of sustaining the production as a living or viable product which will be used later in commercial production. Seedsmen have invested billions in conditionmg plants, laboratories, and storages so that the farmer can be assured of a depe - dable supply of seed. In future articles we will discuss particular facets of the industry, including production problems of alfalfa seed, labeling requirements, government involvement, seed storage and use by the farmer. Wolf’s Head Special Duty 15W-40 will contribute to operating efficiency with its multi-grade characteristics which can result in fuel savings, faster starting m cold weather with less engine wear Wolf’s Head Special Duty 15W-40 is formulated for mixed fleet operations both on and off highway, in naturally asperated and turbo-charged engines