THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 15 



cribes thirty-seven varieties of parsley. This shows that seed 

 breeding might be better developed in the United States. The 

 English have cultivated parsley since the reign of Edward \ I. 

 Consumption is increased by production of attractive varieties, 

 and production is increased by varieties suitable to different 

 environments. 



Peas are more liable to cross than beans. Peas to be 

 used for seed should be grown in an isolated spot. Unifor- 

 mity in habit of growth is important. Mendel showed by 

 hybridizing peas that there is a numerical ratio in given char- 

 acteristics of cross-bred offspring. This law has been in- 

 valuable in all breeding work ever since. Mendel's law shows 

 further that hereditary characteristics are usually independent 

 units which segregate out upon crossing, regardless of tem- 

 porary dominance. 



Of Peppers, Professor Watts says: "Seeds should be 

 selected with the greatest care. Some successful growers 

 produce their own seeds and maintain superior strains. To 

 prevent the development of the pungent character in sweet 

 peppers there must be no cross-polination with hot-fruited 

 varieties." 



Varieties of radish show a wide range and those adapted 

 for special purposes should be selected. Carriere produced 

 radishes from the wild slender-rooted charlock ( Raphaims 

 Raphanistrnni. ) In iorc'mg radishes great improvements 

 have been made. Burpee has a variety called Rapid Ked 

 which will mature in 18 days under glass. Ten to twelve 

 radishes can be raised per foot. The grower counts on get- 

 ting four crops from October tenth to April fifteenth. Four- 

 teen bunches — six to eight to a bunch — can be calculated upon 

 from one square foot. 



In the case of rhubarb seed only 15 to 20% of the seeds 

 come true to name. Root cuttings or division of the clumps 



