118 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec. 



Ami, Buck, Criddle, Davis, Fryer, Gibson, Macmillan, Newman, 

 Tully and the host, Mr. R. B. Whyte. 



The subject dealt with was "Possibilities for Home Grown 

 Seed in Canada" with particular reference to root and vegetable 

 crops. 



Mr. Macoun in opening the discussion stated that both 

 Mr. Clark and Dr. Malte, as well as himself, had already giv'en 

 the subject considerable attention, having prepared articles, 

 etc., for the press in which attention had been drawn to the point 

 that there was a strong probability that shortages of certain 

 seeds would be felt in Canada for at least the two following 

 seasons, owing to the fact that Germany and France, the regular 

 sources of supply, would not be able to fill orders as heretofore.. 



Summarizing the pros and cons of the case for Canadian 

 grown seed, and other interesting points relating to the plants 

 the seed of which, could or could not be grown to advantage, 

 it was noted that (1) Home grown seed often produced more 

 vigorous plants; (2) earlier fruits; (3) the suitability of localities 

 for certain crops was an essential factor; (4) the question of the 

 high cost of labour militated somewhat against home produc- 

 tion; (5) about one dozen of the important plant families were 

 represented by the most important of the popt;lar garden and 

 field vegetables; the asparagus and onion for instance, rep- 

 resenting the Lily family ; (6) nearly all of the present vegetables 

 have been cultivated for a long time, and in some cases it was 

 possible to trace modern species to a common origin. The 

 modern cabbage, kale, and cauliflower were knowm to have come 

 from one original type. Mr. Macoun in closing, again referred 

 to the question of proper locality and stated that while he 

 thought certain seed, like that of melons, might be produced 

 most profitably in sections of the country, like British Columbia, 

 yet he felt confident that in time most seeds now raised in 

 Europe could be raised to advantage in Canada. 



Dr. Malte dealt more particularly with forage roots such, 

 as mangels, turnips and sugar beets. He pointed out that the 

 original wild form of such root crops consisted of a creeping form 

 found on the sand of the coastal regions of Europe. This, 

 without doubt, accounted for the fact that such crops possessed 

 a liking for alkali soils and flourished in coast districts. In 

 raising beet seed it must be kept in mind that different varieties 

 cross fertilize very freely. Mangels too, in most cases were not 

 yet fixed in types. When swedes and white turnips are grown 

 side by side, it has been found that cross fertilization will in- 

 fluence the resultant roots, and that as a result many mal- 

 formations of the roots follow. Jn some instances such mal- 

 formations have been mistaken for the effect of Club Root. 



