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Re: The Great Seed Trade

Marv:
	Great idea about setting up a Giant Pumpkin Seed Swap. There are few
places one can go to swap "Seed of the Giant Pumpkin."  Actually, there are
zero places. If there was, it would be here. I'm a seed saver and do this
kind of thing all winter. And,  I've also got some interesting giant
pumpkin varieties I could offer.  
	However, if even a fraction of the members of this e-mail list started
making regular posts, offers like "Seed Available" or requests like
"Looking For Seed,"  it would overwhelm the system.  But, there may still
be a way to do this right here, on this e-mail list, because every message
posted ends up in the archives. If you want to trade seed you'd visit the
archives to read the offers, obtain postal addresses, e-mail each other
directly and keep your swapping in the archives and off the daily list.
	Perhaps if;  1.) members agreed to only one posting, containing all the
different varieties offered, with discription, etc. not a seperate posting
for each different variety.   2.) make that single posting during a single
month, an otherwise slow month like January, all offerings could be viewed
at the same time in the monthly achives index.  3.)  keep your e-mail seed
swapping in the archives, private and off the group list.  4.)  agree to
mail all seed by, say,February 15.  5.)  agree not to make requests after
March 1.  6.)  agree to sit on your hands if you have any problems with
another member about a swap gone bad, lost cash, lost seed, etc., etc. 
tough cookies, don't e-mail us about so-and-so, who won't or did, this or
that.
	We would also have to set up some type of standards and some basic
guidelines to follow.   The Seed Savers Exchange developed guidelines for
their members to follow when offering or ordering seed from other members.
They set minimum standards for amounts of seed sent, how it's packaged,
etc. They do not suggest sending an SASE.
	The SSE uses a clever technique that encourages their members to offer
seeds.  Those members get a 50% discount (they pay $1) when they order
seeds from other members.  Those not offering seeds and only wish to buy
must send $2 for a sample pack of seed. They pay more because they didn't
want to go through the trouble, save, package and mail seed, have their
address made public, etc. The dollar or two obtained goes to cover the
expense of packaging and postage.  It's a break even thing.  No one should
think they can use the forum to start a seed company or git' rich off 'em
pumpkins seeds. 
	Of course, I think World Champion Pumpkin Grower Chris Anderson of CA
should give his views on the subject of an e-mail giant pumpkin seed swap. 
His seed is probably the most coveted right now, among members of this
e-mail list. 
	That's my two cents, looking forward to your's.
Michael
mcohill@neo.lrun.com
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