DIFFERENT METHODS OF PRODUCING HYBRID SEED. 37 



Much greater accuracy can be secured by a comparison of a series of 

 single rows or narrow plats and repeating the series as many times 

 as space or seed will permit. 



DIFFERENT METHODS OF PRODUCING HYBRID SEED. 



While the process of securing hybrid seed is very simple, it is pos- 

 sible to vary the details of the method to suit different objects and 

 conditions. Those wishing to experiment with a considerable 

 series of hybrids will find it convenient to select what is considered 

 the most promising variety for the male parent and plant this variety 

 in every other row. Any number of other varieties can then be 

 planted in the alternate rows and carefully detasseled. Hybrids 

 will then be secured between the variety selected as a male parent 

 and each of the others, and the seed will be in sufficient quantity to 

 make accurate yield tests the following season. 



If it is desired to keep accurate pedigrees of individual j)lants, 

 resort must be had to hand pollination. 



The production of hybrid seed on a commercial scale also permits 

 of considerable variety in the details of the method. Whatever 

 method is followed it would seem desirable that the plat in which the 

 hybrid is made be large enough to afford opportunity for selection. 

 The actual size of the seed plat should be governed by the size of the 

 field planting to be made the following season and the ratio should 

 not be greater than 1 to 100. Thus, if the contemplated field plant- 

 ing is to be 50 acres the hybridizing plat should not be less than half 

 an acre. 



Perhaps the most sim])le method for the farmer is to purchase each 

 year a small quantity of seed of two varieties that are known to be 

 well adapted to the particullar section and plant in alternate rows in a 

 hybridizing plat, as recentlji recommended by Doctor East." 



The varieties must, of course, be of nearly the same length of sea- 

 son, and in case of any difference in this respect the variety that 

 flowers early should be chosen for detassehng. If the farmer wishes 

 to grow his own parent varieties he can do so by alternating the male 

 and female parents each succeeding year and selecting enough seed 

 from the variety not detasseled to supply the hybridizing plat for two 

 years, the first year as the female parent and the following year as the 

 male. The same result could be approximated by detassehng one of 

 the varieties in one half of the field and the other variety in the other 

 half of the field. By this method seed of both varieties would be 

 secured each year, but considerable indiscriminate crossing would 

 take place. 



a The Rural New Yorker, May 1 and 8, 1909. 

 101 



