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Re: seeds-list@eskimo.com

Donald Hickman wrote:
> 
> -- [ From: Donald Hickman * EMC.Ver #3.1a ] --
> 
> To All
> 
> Thanks for your e-mail.  I am sorry to hear of your disappointment with
> Thompson & Morgan. Let me assure you that the derogatory comments that
> have been circulating regarding the purchase of old seeds are simply
> unfounded.  Thompson & Morgan (US) purchases seeds from its mother
> company in England, and a small percentage of seeds directly from noted
> suppliers in the US. Our British mother company purchases seeds from
> noted wholesale suppliers worldwide, and/or produces seeds itself from
> our wholesale division.  Seeds are purchased on a supply/demand basis.
> 
> Seeds are tested for germination both in England, where they are
> received in for packaging, and at the US base in Jackson, NJ, in
> conjunction with the Cornell Seed Testing Laboratory.  The English
> offices of T&M do NOT send T&M (US) their old, discarded seed. All
> divisions of T&M utilize independent testing and make provisions for
> donating or discarding seed autonomously.  Germination results are
> reviewed against rigid standards set by Thompson & Morgan, which have
> always been above the USDA minimum germination allowance.
> 
> In fact, the Thompson & Morgan Group (US, UK, France) has, as a group,
> just reviewed germination standards and test methodologies. The
> standards agreed upon by T&M Group are once again above and beyond what
> the USDA allows as minimum germination percentage, and are even higher
> than previously agreed upon standards.
> 
> It is simply not logical, nor valid, to assume that all seed must be
> newly harvested to germinate.  There are numerous reports and books
> published regarding the viability of seed.  Viability for tomato,
> broccoli, cabbage, and cucumber, for example, is expected to be up to 5
> years under proper storage conditions of low temperatures and low
> humidity.  Flowers have similar guidelines established for aging and
> viability.
> 
> It is also important to note that many of our unusual and rare varieties
> are difficult from seed, and often need frost action to stimulate
> germination, or may take a long period of time with fluctuating
> temperatures to fully germinate.  Some seeds do not germinate all at
> once, but come up sporadically over a long period, giving a false
> appearance of low or poor germination.  It is also important to note
> that seeds do not always follow a mathematical formula for germination.
> Due to the nature of some seeds, especially those, which are rare &
> difficult to germinate, following packet instructions to the letter does
> not necessarily guarantee the best results or 100% germination. As
> gardeners, we all have our own techniques for sowing seeds that work for
> our particular situations.  It is not our intention in any way to
> "justify" low germination - but it is important to note that for many
> perennials, especially rare and alpine species, germination does not
> always follow the rules.  Of course, T&M offers many plants that follow
> typical germination techniques and guidelines, and for these we expect a
> high success rate, in conjunction with industry norms and our own high
> germination standards.
> 
> At Thompson & Morgan, customer satisfaction, is our number one priority.
>  Our Quality Charter ensures that you receive the best values on the
> highest quality products available, and our customers return to us each
> season because they know that we stand by this credo.  However, should
> you have a problem or question, please contact our customer service
> department at 1-800-274-7333.
> 
> Thank you for your interest in T&M products.
I received this letter this morning.  But I don't believe them. Judy
Showers
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