BREEDING STAPLE FOOD PLANTS. 263 
of Beets. The past and future value of this work to the world is 
represented by vast sums of money. 
Increasing superior stocks, giving them trials beside standard sorts, 
choosing out only those which are superior, and then increasing them 
for the public, is not only an expensive operation, but one requiring much 
care. In this many of our breeders of new things have failed, because, as 
among inyentors, business ability has not in all cases been coupled with 
the ability to produce new things. The public has so little confidence in 
new things, because they have been asked to pay long prices for the 
privilege of experimenting with so many newly originated varieties sent 
out before their values were fully determined experimentally. Far more 
of this experimenting should be done on the grounds of the introducers, 
and on the grounds of such establishments as public experiment stations, 
where trained experts are employed for the work. This is especially import- 
ant with field crops. While in the case of the ornamental plants, or of fruits 
and some vegetables, it is quite practicable for each grower to try a few 
plants of many varieties in a very inexpensive way, it is not so with grain 
and forage crops. While the crucial test for new things is always the 
test given by the practical growers, yet the plat testing of new varieties, 
as of Wheat, Sugar-Beets, Field Peas, or of Timothy, could easily be 
made at a sufficient number of places, such as experiment farms, so that 
the growers could in most cases rely on the formal plat tests of the 
experimenters. These tests should always be done in such a manner as 
to imitate field conditions; the soil should be uniform and the labour 
should be performed in an expert manner. This is expensive work that 
can properly be undertaken by the Government for the whole people. 
Tue Furure or Puant BREEDING. 
The literature on plant breeding is much scattered. There is no 
recently published bibliography ; much that has been put into print is 
wrong; and that faith which people should have in increasing the value 
of crops through heredity is not strongly built up or increased on reading 
much that has been printed. Charles Darwin still remains the great 
collator and interpreter, but his thoughts centred most on clearing up 
the larger scientific question of Evolution ; but between the lines there is 
inspiration for those who add to the world’s, wealth by breeding animals 
and plants. Darwin had the spirit for gainig experimental knowledge 
of heredity by actually experimenting in a large way; but time has been 
necessary for his followers to earnestly take this work up in detail. Prof. 
Hugo de Vries and others who are looking systematically for the nature 
of changes, the laws of breeding, the best means of producing important 
results, are engaged in a most important work. Against the great difficulties 
with which the work is beset, is the vast scientific and economic utility 
of any useful discoveries which may result. 
This work requires not only much time, but the expenditure of money. 
A few things done well, with conditions under control, and records and 
specimens properly kept, should be the motto of the experimenter. 
Persons who are making new races or varieties have done far too little 
in recording methods and results. They have usually found their first 
