For years I've been searching for a seed box in my price range -- still no luck. So when I saw Debra's post on Common Ground about recreating a seed box; I decided now was the time to have my very own. Check out Debra's post here. Since we are all about "decorating with meaning" at the Salmagundi household, I chose to duplicate what might have been a D. V. Burrell seed box. I'm not sure that Burrell's ever put out a box; so this is just my interpretation.
This is the Burrell's 114th year of operation and is still owned by the family. My Grandparents were friends of the original D. V. Burrells, and my parents lived next door to the Delavan Burrells for years. When I was a child, my Mother worked in the seed company's office for a couple of years; and my Dad, as a farmer, contracted with them to grow plants for seed. Lots of family association here!
My collage shows some of the type of seeds grown to be shipped all over the world by the Burrells.
When I was a kid, I always loved going for a ride to see all of the zinnia fields in bloom. Below are a couple of postcards from the 1940-1950s showing zinnia fields.
When I was a kid, I always loved going for a ride to see all of the zinnia fields in bloom. Below are a couple of postcards from the 1940-1950s showing zinnia fields.
Among our Rocky Ford collectibles, we have this 1935 Burrell catalog.
And in the stuff I found in my Dad's workshop was this seed bag.
This 1950s contract was between Burrell's and my Dad to grow watermelons, cantaloupe, and zinnias for the harvest of seeds.
I was the third generation to be born and raised in Rocky Ford, Colorado, the home of the world famous cantaloupe. Incidentally, the listeria scare last year were NOT cantaloupes harvested in Rocky Ford. But, I guess if you use a breed developed in Rocky Ford many years ago, you can call them Rocky Ford cantaloupes. The farming community in Rocky Ford is struggling anyway because of water issues; and the world-wide publicity about listeria hasn't helped. Great strides have been made this past year to assure the safety of all cantaloupes shipped directly from Rocky Ford.
Thanks to Debra at Common Ground for spurring me on to create my own reproduction seed box and take a trip down memory lane. My next post will be the story about the toy tractor.
I'm joining in the following parties:
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Sunday View for Vintage View Sunday
Better with Age for Give Me the Goods Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday
Vintage on a Dime for Welcome Home Wednesday
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House Party
