WORK OF SEEDSMEN, 9 



other subjocts and concentrate their energies on this fascinating- and 

 prod net ive work. In looking toward the fnture, it seems probable 

 that plant l)reeding will receive far more attention than heretofore. 

 In Enropean countries much more attention is given to the improve- 

 ment of i^lants-than in America. In two towns in Gerraanj^ there are 

 nearly 30 large seed firms, with an aggregate capital investment prob- 

 ably five times as great as the capital of the general seed firms of 

 America. In that country owners of large farms breed and raise 

 seeds of wheat, oats, i-ye, sugar beets, potatoes, and other crops. They 

 get better profits from tiiis M'ork, and they build on tlieir farms chem- 

 ical and seed laboratories where the seed selection is done systemat- 

 ically. Those farmers to whom they su^iply seed which will make 

 their jaelds larger are also benefited. 



In England, the average yield of wheat is over 30 bushels per acre, 

 while in the United States it is below 15 Imshels. This difference is 

 in part due to the better prejjaration of soil and the moister climate; 

 but doubtless it is also due in part to the selection and breeding of 

 wheat during a much longer period than has passed since wheat Avas 

 first grown in this new eountiy. 



Dr. Rimiaau, Mr. Haine, Mr. Strube, and other farmers of Germany, 

 which country I had the pleasure of visiting recently, find that seed 

 growing and l)reediug is a verj'^ practical vocation. They breed wheat 

 in a manner somewhat similar to the plan described in the following 

 pages, and they employ system and precision in the selection of indi- 

 vidual plants and of resulting varieties. Mr. L. H. Ilaynes, of Fargo, 

 N. Dak., has done much careful work in breeding wheat, and has 

 made greater profits from his farm than if he had raised the standard 

 varieties of wheat for the market. 



Breeding plants, since the literature on the subject is growing in 

 volume, gives opportunity for wide study. Especiallj' as an art does 

 the breeding of plants give the opportunity for the develoijment of 

 skill of a high order. The breeders of plants, as well as tlie breeders 

 of aninuils, need to make more of a study of records, of relationships; 

 in a word, design, collect, and study pedigrees of the plants and ani- 

 mals with which they deal. 



In many cases amateurs who have followed up accidental forms of 

 value have sold them to dealers at good prices, and some amateurs 

 breed phiiits according to a carefullj- considered system, making a 

 profit foi- themselves and at the same time pi-oducing valual)le varie- 

 ties for cuilivatiou. Uriglit young farmers can not undertake work 

 which is better calculated to add interest to their cho.sen busine.ss tlian 

 to become breeders of pedigree plants or animals. Seedsmen depend 

 largely upon amateurs for new and valuable varieties, and they are 

 always ready to pay good prices for useful new sorts. The seedsmen 

 of America have not kept pace with European seed firms in variety 



