SIGNA Seed Exchange

Tom writes:

>> Another minor gripe is that members who donate seed are "served first" when
distributing the seed.

Jumping in, because my earlier writings about the ASI Seed Bank may have
confused the issue.  At one time the policy was to distribute seeds ONLY to
those who had already donated some.  That served two purposes:   1) getting
donations from a variety of people to widen the gene pool and 2) screening the
recipients so that seeds went only to people who had already proven their
ability to grow the species well enough to get seeds from them.   This was
adopted after a period in which a lot of people were drawing on the bank, but
few were contributing to it -- I don't know whether it's still in effect.  

But that's ASI, not SIGNA.  I'm also a donor to the SIGNA Seed Exchange and, as
such, have been told that my order will NOT be given preference over earlier
orders.  The list states that  "Orders will be filled in the order received" and
I think they really mean it.   I've experienced the same frustrations as Tom,
finding out that the seeds I ordered were "sold out" even though I mailed my
order the same day I received the list.  (A trip to the main post office to
catch the last mail pick up of the day is no big deal when you _really_ want
those seeds!)

The "donor preference" I was told about is with respect to the mailing itself.
When possible, the donors' copies go out a little ahead of the main mailing.
The very nature of a mass mailing gives members who live near the Chairman an
edge.   This early-mailing policy puts the more remote donors (like me) on a
more equal footing with the nearby members and gives nearby donors a bit of an
edge.

I think the real problem is that the supply can't keep up with the demand.   In
many cases, there are less than 25 seeds of a listed cross -- and those will
sell out almost instantly.  Obviously, we need more donors -- but my "soapbox"
time is running out . . . .  

Sharon McAllister ( 73372.1745@compuserve.com)
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