114 LIVING PLANTS 



with peas. The last investigator found that 

 the weight of peas of first quality was nearly 

 three-fourths of the whole harvest raised from 

 large seeds, and only about one-third of that 

 from small seeds. (See table vii.) In this 

 case, therefore, the large seeds not only gave 

 a much better total yield, but far more seed 

 material of high grade with which to con- 

 tinue the strain. 



Marek, in Germany, experimenting with 

 wheat (see table ix), and Plumb, in the Uni- 

 ted States, with oats (see table x), have 

 demonstrated the same fact. Both have pro- 

 vided data which show that the amount of 

 grain in comparison with the straw was 

 greater in case of large seeds than of small 

 ones. 



Statistical evidence of this kind might be 

 greatly extended, although observations have 

 rarely, if ever, been instituted with this par- 

 ticular end in view. Casual observations 

 give no aid to this part of the inquiry, as the 

 differences are obscured by other factors which 

 stand out more prominently. What the eye 

 cannot detect, however, is readily and unmivS- 

 takably revealed by the rule and balance. 



So far as data can be marshalled at present, 

 there'appears good reason to believe that 

 large seeds, besides giving rise to larger and 

 rriore fruitful plants, also possess an inherent 



