Re: MOMBERT 567.5 SEED AVAILABLE--UPDATE

    I was very surprised at that list members apologized, and that some
defended the sale of the Mombert 567.5 seed.  When it comes to an issue like
this, there is a big difference between us (the growers), and guys like
Howard Dill and Ray Waterman.  They are in business to sell seed, and if it
was not for breeders such as these with their past efforts, we would not
have growers producing 1000+ lb. pumpkins.
    But it seems to me that growers have an informal network that allows all
growers (even "newbies" such as myself) to grow pumpkins that have known
genetic potential because there is a traceable family tree.  This
information is not usually available from the seed sellers.  By having this
secondary market it takes what Dill and Waterman have been doing one step
further.  It multiplies the effort toward a new world record because seeds
are given freely to many growers.  Every grower may have the next potential
world record in his or her garden from seed that was given by a fellow
grower.  Do you think that the 1000 lb. barrier would have been broken so
quickly if Kirk Mombert did not give away a substantial number of 567.5
seeds?
        By selling seeds for anything other than fundraisers, it opens the
Pandora's Box of "authentication".  There would be many of FAKE seeds being
sold.  Once this happens, it would be almost impossible to selectively grow
based on background and genetics.  It would most certainly halt the progress
to the 1500 lb. pumpkin, and wipe out the efforts of each individual pumpkin
grower who has carefully grown and cross pollinated to produce the best
possible genetic traits for a new world record.
    I am a firm believer in free market, but this sport is not based on
supply and demand.  The bottom line is integrity.  When someone has given a
seed to grow, putting it up for the highest bid is unconscionable.  I
received seeds freely this year from some of the best growers, not to
mention nice guys, in the country. I received seeds from Wayne Hackney, Kirk
Mombert, Joel Holland, Alan Reynolds, and Nic Welty.  None ever asked for a
dime, and it only cost me postage for the seeds.  This is my first year, and
they sent seeds because they want the sport to expand and attract as many
growers as possible.  Their goal is personal satisfaction, not personal
gain.
    I am of the opinion that the best way to maintain integrity in any
organization is to demand high ethical standards from all that you contact,
whether it is business or personal or growing pumpkins.  Today, people don't
want to demand the best from those around them.  They think it is too
judgmental.  If present growers do not let it be known that selling seeds in
a secondary market will be detrimental to the sport, we will all be to
blame.
    Just think about how many seeds are in a pumpkin.  A single grower could
never grow all of them unless he or she had a large farm.  So what do you
do?  Sell them, or give them away.  You decide.  But before making the
decision, ask yourself why you stared growing pumpkins in the first place.
I am growing a "big big pumpkin" (what my son calls AG's) for my 3 year old
son because he is fascinated by these big orange blobs and I enjoy growing
them.  It's your call.
    Just some thoughts, take them for what they are worth.

John J. Pritchard
Columbus, OH
jpritchard@mindspring.com


-----Original Message-----
From: The Pumpkin Master <thepumpkinmaster@hotmail.com>
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 09, 1999 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: MOMBERT 567.5 SEED AVAILABLE--UPDATE


>I would second that John.  Who gave me the 747 wycoff seeds.  I would like
>to send them money for postage but lost the addrress
>
>
>>From: jpritchard@mindspring.com
>>Reply-To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
>>To: <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
>>Subject: Re: MOMBERT 567.5 SEED AVAILABLE--UPDATE
>>Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 07:53:33 -0400
>>
>>     I have tried to blow this off, but this guy just keeps coming back.
I
>>thought most good growers gave away their seeds, or donated them to clubs
>>for some type of non-profit fundraiser.  When I started asking for seeds
>>last winter, I had more offers than I could accept.  Many thanks to all
the
>>list members.
>>
>>     Considering Memorial Day was just a week ago, I have a wonderful
idea.
>>I think Mike Turner should give that 567.5 seed to a U.S. or Canada WWII
>>vet
>>who is growing pumpkins.  The United States has bailed England out of two
>>World Wars and without these guys, he would be growing Atlantic GERMAN
>>Pumpkins!!
>>
>>John J. Pritchard
>>Columbus, OH
>>jpritchard@mindspring.com
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Pumkinguy@aol.com <Pumkinguy@aol.com>
>>To: pumpkins@mallorn.com <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
>>Date: Tuesday, June 08, 1999 11:57 PM
>>Subject: Re: MOMBERT 567.5 SEED AVAILABLE--UPDATE
>>
>>
>> >In a message dated 6/8/99 8:37:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>SteveS012@aol.com
>> >writes:
>> >
>> ><< >  wishes to raise this offer please submit offers to me privately at
>> > >  MTu4639875@aol.com.
>> > >
>> > >  BEST WISHES
>> > >  MIKE TURNER
>> > >  ENGLAND
>> > >  UK
>> > >
>> >
>> > $120? ....DANG. Is that legal? I just give my seeds away, and always
>>will!
>> >  >>
>> >Supply and demand! Nobody is holding a gun to anyones head. Let the free
>>and
>> >open market prevail. I think it is nice that you give away your seeds.
If
>> >somebody has a rare one and wants to make a few bucks....I have no
>>problem
>> >with it. All I can say is I hope it
>> >germinates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are getting
>>old
>>:)
>> >                                                      pumkinguy
>> >
>> >---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
>> >message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
>>
>>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
>>message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
>>
>
>
>_______________________________________________________________
>Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
>message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index