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SELECTION OF SEEDS. 



We have noticed a decided increase in the rapidity of growth 

 for every year since selection of seeds has been practiced on La 

 Zaculapa. This naturally stands to reason. Still the necessity 

 for careful selection of seed for a rubber plantation does not 

 seem to have been accorded the attention it requires. A farmer 

 now-a-days is very particular about his seed corn, and a fruit 

 grower thinks twice before he decides about the kind of tree he 

 plants. Suppose a corn farmer sows seed that is very uneven 

 in size, some fresh in the milky or green stage, others old and 

 eaten by weevils. What kind of a crop will he get ? When we 

 want a hardy stock of fruit trees, we take care to select only the best 

 seeds. But a rubber planter seems to think that any seed is good, 

 any tree is suitable as long as it is a Castillo.. It must, however, 

 be borne in mind that the whole life of the tree, its healthiness, 

 size, strength, its amount of rubber, all depend upon the start it 

 has. Unlike so many other agricultural industries, rubber culture 

 cannot be immediately benefitted by a lesson learned through 

 bitter experience, because a tree, once planted, will last for many 

 years and has to flourish or fail according to its fitness. Mistakes 

 cannot be corrected as easily as in corn growing, or cultivation 

 of similar crops. It is clear that it will pay a planter to exercise 

 care in the first instance, even more care than in the case of many 

 other plants. This does not imply that a bad start is absolutely 

 hopeless, but rather that care and discretion in the beginning 

 will pay in the long run, and will save the planter many disap- 

 pointments. 



It is naturally difficult, well nigh impossible, to make any 

 detailed selection of seeds, when a large planting, say of thousands 

 of acres, is to be done in one season. But the planter can always 

 subject his seeds to the ordinary methods of selection, such as 

 mentioned below. 



When commencing a plantation always get the seeds from 

 planters who to your knowledge cultivate their trees and keep 

 them clean. Naturally a tree that is well cared for will supply 

 better seeds than a neglected tree. Choose seeds from trees that 

 look healthy, have straight tapering trunk, a full conical crown, 

 and are known to give a large amount of latex and rubber. 



Seeds from young trees, four to six years old, are larger and 

 look better than those obtained from older trees. It is proved by 

 experiments and experience that seeds from such young trees 

 develop into a healthier plant than seeds from older trees. 

 Whenever tha trees are looking yellow or sickly, carefully avoid 

 their seeds. The large seeds are always better than the small ones 

 In regard to size the seeds should be selected by using a screen 

 with meshes one-fourth inch in diameter. All seeds passing 

 through should be discarded. The next step in selection of seed 

 is to place them in a vessel of water, and separate all seeds that 

 float or do not sink rapidly, as these are defective. 



