554 Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



promising types in order that they conld be tested in broadcast 

 plats in comparison with each other and with commercial seed. 

 To do this, either inbred seed or cuttings from the desired types 

 were planted in isolated beds. Such beds should be, at least, two 

 hundred feet apart, and it is still better if they can be surrounded 

 by some tall-growing crop, such as rye. (See Fig. 607.) In these 

 beds the 2:»laiits were placed eighteen inches apart each way in 

 order to allow of some cultivation. Such a bed, containing four 

 to five hundred plants, under proper conditions, furnishes from 



Fig. 607. A Ge.nkkal View of the Isolated Plats Which Furnish Seed 

 FOR Broadcast Tests and for Distribution. 



two to three bushels of seed, and with some care can be maintained 

 for a number of years, thus furnishing a constant pure supply. 



These isolated beds produce the seed that is used for broad- 

 cast plats, which are one rod by four rods, constituting one- 

 fortieth acre, (See Fig. 608) Every fourth plat is a check 

 sown to a good brand of commercial seed. The same amount of 

 seed is sown on each plat, at the rate of 16 pounds per acre. As 

 many duplicate plats as possible of each variety are sown. Alto- 

 gether, there are some 75 varieties in these broadcast tests at the 

 present time. 



