SGO AGRICULTURAL REPORT 



hup:<' mas? of flesh within the ribs of such a vegetable monster ? It would 

 litt'ivilly pL'i-ish ill the usiii}^. 



It has been remarked that American-grown seed-peas succeed much better 

 ill this country than imported seed ot the same varieties. This is true not 

 alune as respects the pea, for a large majority of our garden vegetables succeed 

 ]uuch the best when raised from American-grown seed. Onion seed of English, 

 J'rench, or German growth rarely, if ever, succeed well when sown in this 

 country, even though the variety may have been of American origin. 



The influences of climate, of course, are great ; but to these there should be 

 k s^s regard on the part of foreign cultivators as to the quality of the bulbs set 

 lor seed. The careful American cultivator selects the fairest, best-propor- 

 lioned, and above all, the best-ripened bulbs for his seed, and there is the most 

 ]M)sitive evidence that this course, if long continued, will result in the great 

 iiuprovemeut of the crop in size, quality, and the increased proportion of 

 plant- forming large and well-ripened bult)S. 



WHEN SHOULD SEEDS BE GATHERED AND HOW PRESERVED ? 



Seeds should not be gathered until fully ripe. The rule for cutting wheat 

 and other cereals before it is thoroughly ripened will not apply where the 

 c;rain is to be used for sowing again. After gathering, the seed should be 

 ihoroughly dried and stored in cool, dry, and well-ventilated apartments; but, 

 however thoroughly dried, and however cool and airy the locality where they 

 May be stored, they should be divided into small packages, for when stored in 

 laasses they are extremely liable to generate heat and lose their vitality. 



No complaint of seeds is more common than this, that " sweet corn will not 

 come up." And the remark is a true one ; it does not come well, so that thou- 

 sands are annually disappointed by failing to secure this cheap, wholesome, and 

 delicious garden vegetable. I have no more trouble in bringing it than in the 

 common yellow corn, because I see that my seed is thoroughly ripened, and 

 Avheu gathered hung up in an airy place, and entirely beyond the reach of 

 ii-ost until it is completely dry. Sweet corn is full of juice, and requires a 

 (onsiderable time to become dried through both kernel and cob. The common 

 jiractice is to gather it, perhaps before it is ripe, throw it upon a floor or hang 

 i^ in some exposed place, Avhere the frost reaches it before the cob is dry and 

 destroys the vegetative power of the kernel. Then, of course, the seed is 

 Avorthless for the purpose of planting. So it is with some other fleshy seeds, 

 siicli as the cucumber, and sometimes even the tomato. 



Seeds that were excellent originally, are frequently imjiaired by being 

 l-rought on shipboard from foreign countries. It is found almost impossible to 

 jirevent a slight dampness, and this, together with the warmth of the place in 

 ^. liicli they are kept, induces the first stage of germination or mould, either ot 

 ■\\liich is sufiicient to destroy the vitality of the seed. 



An experienced seedsman informs me that the best way of keeping seeds is 

 to wrap them in substantial paper in small parcels, then enclose them in strong 

 bags and hang them up under the rafters or beams in the attic, tool-house, or 

 some simiUvr place. 



Some persons transplant mangolds, parsnips, and beets, but the practice is 

 not a good one with any of the "tap-rooted" or fusiform plants. In testing 

 j.arsnip seed to ascertain whether it is good, I find that each seed that germi- 

 nates sends down a root four or five inches long by the time the leaves have 

 attained half an inch in length. If the point of this root be broken ofl", even 

 though near its extremity, the parsnip Avill be quite likely to bo short and 

 fibrous instead of long and fair. I made some satisfactory experiments hi this 

 respect last spring and summer. The best Avay is to test most seeds in the 

 house. Any old box will answer the purpose. This simple precaution will 

 fcave delay and disappointment. If the seeds come well in the box, sow some 



