PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 41 



even bore through the skins of sheep and dogs, causing them much 

 annoyance. 



There are a host of little "ear-marks"on the outside of a seed, as well as 

 inside, which the botanist must understand to enable him to separate one 

 kind from all others and give it a name. Comparisons of the seeds in 

 question with some known to be true to name are often made. Seeds can 

 usually be easily tested for vitality by placing a thick, wet cloth or blotting 

 paper on a plate, with another plate turned over it, watching it for a few 

 days, in a warm place, to see that it is not kept in water, nor allowed to 

 dry. 



The most valuable seeds of farm crops and garden crops, and of some 

 plants grown for flowers, have a pedigree, or might have one, like those of 

 our choicest horses, cattle, or sheep. 



Plants are improved by cultivation, by changes of environment, and 

 these selections are made for some generations, where propagated by seed. 

 Crossing of the flowers is afterward resorted to. 



The [above is only a synopsis, prepared by Dr. Beal, of his extended 

 lecture, which was illustrated by use of numerous charts of botanical 

 specimens. 



SELECTING SEED COEN., 



Mr. W. W. Teacy followed with remarks concerning seed-breeding. 

 Upon nine tenths of our farms, he said, the jDroduct of corn could be 

 increased 5 to 21 per cent, by a day's work each season in selecting seed. 

 Animals differ in their ability to transmit their qualities to offspring, and 

 it|^is not always the best animals which can best transmit their qualities. 

 The same state of things exists among plants, and the same differences 

 among seeds of the same plant. In my work I may find in an acre of 

 tomatoes three plants bearing more fruit than others. I save these and 

 plant them. The product of two may be no more than the average of the 

 field, but the third plant may give very markedly better fruit than that of 

 the original or any of the three, increasing both the quality and the quan- 

 tity. Each farmer here should select, this winter, five or ten ears of corn 

 which he thinks meet his idea of his wants, his soil, etc. First think 

 what this type of corn should be, note down the requirements, and then 

 make the selection. Next spring plant the corn in a corner by itself, In 

 squares, ten hills each way, from each of the ears. Go through the cen- 

 ter of each plat in the autumn, and you will be surprised to see to how 

 great an extent the product comes up to the ideal. Select ten ears again 

 from each plot, and compare the several lots. Plant from the plot which 

 furnished the greatest number of ears. Again take the best, propagate 

 the next year in the same way, and so on till you have enough seed to 



supply a whole field. You will find a 20 per cent, advance in yield over 

 6 



