DAIRY AND SEED IMPROVEMENT MEETINGS. 281 



tendency to decrease yields and necessitate the expenditure of 

 time and money in their eradication. Maine has a number of 

 very bad weeds. The growing of improved crops, the seeds 

 of which may be used for distribution, will necessitate care, 

 in order that they do not become contaminated by the seeds of 

 noxious weeds. The growing of improved seeds may necessi- 

 tate decided changes .in the system of farming. It will be 

 necessary to plan rotations, not only to aid in controlling the 

 undesirable plants, but to provide the best conditions for main- 

 taining better crops and the producing of greater yields. It will 

 mean better farming. 



You will admit that good seed, alone, will not do it all. We 

 have good soil and poor soil. We have rocky places and we 

 have waste places, in Maine. There are many ways of injuring 

 seeds. There are few ways of improving them. Hence, you 

 may select, you may breed, you may clean, you may hand-pick, 

 you may do la multitude of other things and get a sample of 

 seeds, to which ndthing could be superior. You might take 

 that extra fine seed and sow it on an average soil and reap a 

 very inferior crop, if that soil has not been properly prepared, 

 has not been made into the right shape for the production of a 

 good crop. The work of this association, the work of any 

 member, can easily be wasted, if that member is not careful 

 to insure such physical conditions in both surface soil and sub- 

 soil of his field as will insure the largest production of seed, 

 uniform as to quality and maturity. 



The aims of the seed growers are, first, to get large crops. 

 Unless we help increase grain crops, we have no reason for 

 continuing our existence as an organization. Of course it is 

 true that the improvement of quality is important, but the in- 

 creasing of the returns is the primary consideration. Second, 

 to improve quality. Along with increased returns, we want 

 grain of good quality, uniformly plump grains. Third, uni- 

 formity in ripening date. Fourth, freedom from weeds, al- 

 ready mentioned. Fifth, uniform filling of heads. Sixth, 

 early maturity. 



All these factors are more or less influenced by the charac- 

 ter land preparation of the seed beid. Lastly, we should not 

 forget that this intCTest in good seed will not only leave a 

 larger and better crop, but wiill leave the farmer himself a 



