55^ Heading-Course for pARMEiiiJ. 



tion. By selecting cuttings from plants that had produced large numbers 

 of saleable flowers they were able to greatly increase the yield per plant 

 as grown in hot houses, and as plants grown in this way are very costly, 

 the grower can well afford to give strict attention to the character 

 of the plants from which cuttings are selected for propagation. 



It is frequently noted that strawberry plants of the same variety 

 diifer greatly in the number and size of fruits produced, and it is prob- 

 able that by taking slips for propagation from such superior plants, 

 the quality of the next crop could be greatly improved, in yield, flavor, 

 and size of berry. Such an experiment can easily be carried out by any 

 boy or girl on the farm and will form an interesting and profitable 

 diversion. 



CAN A FARMER, OR A FARMER'S BOY, DO ANYTHING IN 



PLANT BREEDING? 



The w'riter has endeavored, throughout this paper, to emphasize 

 the fact that the principles of plant breeding and improvement are 

 simple and can be carried out by the ordinary worker almost or quite 

 as wxll as by the scientist. It does not require scientific training to 

 be able to succeed in a work of this kind. Plant breeding is an art, 

 not a science, and anyone knowing the simple methods of breeding, 

 and having at heart a love for nature, can certainly make advances of 

 importance. 



As an illustration of the claim that boys can do work of value in 

 breeding, the writer would cite the incidence of Mr. Burbank's creation 

 of the Burbank potato. I had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Burbank, 

 now famous the world over for his work in plant breeding, describe 

 the origin of this potato which is now one of the most widely grown 

 sorts in the countr}\ This was apparently the first of Burbank's great' 

 productions, and was originated by him while he was still a mere school- 

 boy. He had heard Mr. Breese describe the origin of the Early Rose 

 potato, and through this had become interested in the formation of 

 varieties. On his road to school he daily passed through a field of Early 

 Rose potatoes, and, knowing of Mr. Breese's success, was continually 

 looking for seed balls, which this variety very rarely produces under 

 ordinary conditions. Fortunately one day he found a plant developing 

 two seed balls, and in such a location that he was required to pass near 

 it ever}^ day on his way to school. He daily observed the gradual develop- 

 ment of these seed balls, guarding them with jealous care during their 

 ripening. Unfortunately one ball fell before maturing and was found 



