14 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



heat well. Four commercial varieties are offered bv Burpee. 

 Growers should raise more of this as a late summer lettuce 

 substitute. Expert growers like Peter Henderson have in- 

 creased the yield of horse-radish from two to five tons per 

 acre. The production of lettuce is increased by commercial 

 growers who aim to have each plant as heavy as possible. 

 Plant-breeders used two varieties for crossing — Grand Rapids 

 and Golden Oueen. A new loose type was developed for the 

 west and a new head type was secured, better fitted for eastern 

 conditions. The length of time needed from planting to ma- 

 turity has been decreased. Now a spring crop will mature in 

 seven to eight weeks, and a fall crop in twelve to fourteen. An 

 acre planted in the best seed should produce 30,000 heads. 

 The heavy producing Grand Rapids was produced by selection 

 on the Black Seeded Simpson. 



Productiveness in muskmelons depends largely on i)ro- 

 perly selected seed. The Indiana Experiment Station suggests 

 the ideal ty[)e for jjreeders of the Netted Gem. Professor 

 Watts says that the best fruit does not necessarily produce 

 the best seed, but the entire plant willi its product must be 

 considered the unit. 



The \-iel(l of the onion varies from 300 to 1000 bushels 

 per acre. Selected seed is bound to increase tlie yield. 

 Breeders ha\-e found il 1)est to select bulbs for seed at har\est. 

 According to Professor Watts '"they should be of llie desired 

 size and form. A short neck is considered an advantage. 

 Uniformitv in all of the essential characteristics is exceed- 

 inglv important in clioosing l)ull)s for seed ])urposes. Seed 

 I)ull)s slioidd l)e stored and planted as nearly as i)ossible in tlK- 

 spring." TiiL-re are many varieties ot onions and this makes 

 possible an adapt.ition of the \ ariety to soil and climate, which 

 will r)f cour.sc increase crop production. 



The Royal Horticultural Society's Journal for 1909 des- 



