280 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



established by one or more years of selection. Unless seed 

 used by farmers was harvested from plants which have grown 

 from carefully selected seed, the chances are that the crop, even 

 if it is adapted to soil and climatic conditions, will not maintam 

 its yields and qualities as it should. If we are to judge by 

 the general complaint of "poor stand," "mixed crop" and "not 

 turning out well," — we must conclude that there is a general 

 lack of information on the subject. 



The chief value of selection, in ordinary farm crops at the 

 present time, is to maintain the high standard reached. The 

 urgent cry of the soil is for the best and we have the evidence 

 of the past to prove that we shall receive the best if we sow the 

 most perfect seed obtainable. Probably very few farmers 

 would care to go to the trouble of crossing and developing 

 new varieties, even if they had the time. That phase of the 

 improvement work naturally .belongs to the expert plant 

 breeder's. And it is largely to such institutions as the State 

 Experiment Station that we must look for the distribution of 

 pure bred seed, whose desirable characteristics have been fixed. 



Having been supplied with an improved variety of seed, it is 

 then essential that its standard be preserved, by careful grading 

 and selection from year to year. This is the work of the mem- 

 bers of such organizations as this one and many others of a 

 similar nature, throughout the land. Each member pledges his 

 support to maintain seed of a high standard and promote its 

 distribution as far as it is possible for him to do so. By the 

 distribution of good seed, the quality of the crop will be im- 

 proved. It is fxot necessary to tire you with figures, to prove 

 these statements. All I wish to do is to call your attention 

 to the fact that where these practical methods of operation 

 have been used for a period of severail years, there has not only 

 been a marked increase in the yield, but also a decided im- 

 provement in the quality as well. At first, this improved 

 quaHty may pot bring a higher price, but it may create a de- 

 mand for products of a bdtter quality, and these will move 

 more rapidly and more easily, and buyers will be willing to 

 pay a premium for them. 



While it is essential that new varieties of seed be developed 

 and maintained, it is just as essential that attention be given to 

 the control of some of the undesirable forms which have a 



