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Re: seeds-list@eskimo.com

At 11:20 AM 4/23/97 -0400, Judy Showers wrote:
>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
>
And, I'm sorry to say, neither do I. There have been too many instances of
failure with easily germinated plants (Impatiens, for one) and too many
cases of starting seeds that I order year after year from T&M only to
suddenly have one year's batch fail to germinate..

I will continue to order certain seeds from them that I cannot obtain any
other way, but will be prepared for diappointment. If I had Donald's e-mail
address, I would have copied this to him. Only by complaining as a group
can we get any action.

Gerry
>
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