Something Cool I'm working on for you!

[Alan]

Howdy guys, i've been so busy, hence the lack of updates, and though I know all of us are so busy in our gardens we don't have time to be on the net and are probably close to being "burnt out" by the heat and humidity that August brings, and since i'm feeling particularyl artistic and creative (due to being a former professional musician currently on hiatus to start a business) I thought I'd give you a little anouncement to get you all excited about The Strange Fruit Seed Co./Blue River Seed Improvement Project and it's first research package that I will release this fall/winter/spring which at the moment will contain at least the following:

Mer De Nomes (red) saladette tomato

La Mer Noir (black) saladette tomato

Robert Johnson/Delta Blues missisipi white Burley tobacco

Hoskins Barger Pink Tomato

The Madcap Laughs Poppie Mix

A Saucerfull of Secrets sunflower mix

and possibly

Astronomy Domine F2 Sweet Corn breeding stock (provided I have enough to distribute)

or

2112 Bi-color sweet corn F2 breeding stock

I may also add a variety or two of winter squash depending.

This fall I will anounce how to obtain the seed of these varieties and give you a rundown of what to expect from them.

-Alan Reed Bishop
BRSIP/SFSC/BHG

[bluelacedredhead]

Alan, This sounds wonderful! I haven't sent a SASE yet for the Mers...Sounds like it's a good thing I haven't done so. This project just might require more than 3 stamps, LOL

[downinmyback]

Alan remember to put me on your list too.

[Alan]

Will do guys, let's keep bumping this so that everyone sees it. What I am thinking about doing is a donation/contribution to research sort of thing. Something like the initilal 10 seed varieties for 12 dollars (including shipping) and then 1.50 contribution for each additional seed package. Of course I will still offer them free as well for SASE and will defenetly accept trades, i've just got to find a way to pay for the extra work and material that goes into my research. Does that sound fair?

[downinmyback]

That sounds more than fair to me . If we order from any seed company we would pay more than that. Some of these sounds like they could be real interesting. I know you are still busy now as your peddling is still going strong. I hope your sales are still doing good.

[bluelacedredhead]

Sounds fair to me too. Roughly a $1.00 a packet for the Introductory Mix not out of line for a Cottage Industry at all. Are you sure this enough to cover costs??

Do you have any idea what Winter Squash varieties you might have available?

[Alan]

The winter squash will probably be something common like Table queen and sweet dumpling, some buttercups and hubbard mixes.

I'll keep you guys updated; I hate to charge anything, but it kind of offsets production costs and helps support research, so your not really paying for the seeds, your contributing to my research That also keeps the USDA off my butt!

[downinmyback]

Would it be possible for you to substitute another vegetable such as a pepper or tomatoes instead of the tobacco since i quit smoking 5 years ago and i do not want the temptation of any tobacco close by. ( I would probably try to roll a cig with toilet paper like we did when i was a kid.

[johno]

Alan, you gotta' cover your costs when it's an operation the size of yours.

I'd like to see a little flexibility in the package, though.

[Alan]

I understand Johno, I just don't have too much new stuff to offer this year, though I did just update the main thread to reflect that there is no minimum order, you can order 1 or 15 packects and each one will be $1.50 a sample. This way people can get exactly what they want and won't be stuck with seed they don't need/don't want. I hope this works.

-Alan

[johno]

I noticed that. I think it's perfect!