BEETROOT AND CARROT 



Thus, in 1890, E. v. Proskowetz obtained some seeds of 

 the wild Sea-beetroot which is found on the south coast 

 of France. By very careful selection he was able in the year 

 1894 to get good beetroots quite like the ordinary cultivated 

 ones. These were biennials (not annuals like the wild plant), 

 and had a large percentage of sugar — 16*99 per cent. This 

 was by selection in good and fertile soil.^ Vilmorin also 

 obtained quite good carrots in the fourth generation by culti- 

 vating the wild form in rich and good soil, and selecting 

 the best. 



In fact there are in natural wild plants great differences 

 between individuals, and when such plants are cultivated in 

 good soil, where they have far more to eat than they require, 

 the result is that they produce extraordinary and monstrous 

 types. 



These types are, however, more or less delicate, and are 

 weak in constitution and easily killed. To prevent such 

 variations those who wish to keep a race of seed pure are 

 careful to keep it growing on poor land. 



In 1596 the Hyacinth {Hyacinthiis orientalis) was intro- 

 duced from the Levant. In 1597 there were four varieties, 

 and in 1629 eight kinds were known, but in 1768 two 

 thousand forms of hyacinth were named and described. 



Besides selection, the method of hybridizing or crossing is 

 often used in order to obtain new or valuable strains. 

 Generally both hybridizing and crossing are employed. 

 This method has long been practised. Bradley, in 1717, 

 writes as follows : " A curious person may by this knowledge 

 produce much rare kinds of plants as have not yet been 

 heard of"; and, in fact, peaches, potatoes, plums, straw- 

 berries, and savoys have all been greatly improved by 



1 Perceval, Agricultural Botany. 

 278 



