346 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Then when the flowers are free from dew or moisture of any kind, shake the &quot;blossom contain 

 ing the pollen of the variety that is selected for crossing with the latter over it, being partic 

 ular to do this when the anthers of the flower used in crossing are ready to discharge their 

 pollen freely. The blossom will thus be impregnated, after which a piece of thin muslin or 

 fine lace should be carefully tied over the flower to prevent bees or other insects from intro 

 ducing pollen from other flowers. When the seed-ball matures, its seeds will contain the 

 germ of varieties partaking in a greater or less degree of the characteristics of both parents. 

 Blossoms of all plants can be hybridized in this manner. 



The covering of the flower can be removed after a few days. It should be left to ripen 

 undisturbed, and when fully ripe can be removed from the stalk. This seed should be planted 

 and the product carefully saved. The tubers will be about the size of walnuts the first year, 

 though sometimes of considerably larger size. When perfected in size and other qualities, 

 which requires three seasons, their real value as varieties can be ascertained, and if any are 

 found of sufficient worth to be propagated they should be planted apart from others to 

 prevent mixing. 



How to Raise Seedlings. It is generally known that all new varieties of potatoes 

 are produced by hybridizing or crossing different varieties as previously described, or by 

 planting the seed-balls at random and selecting from the product. It may rarely happen that 

 seed thus sown will produce the same variety of that which produced it; we have known such 

 instances, but they are very rare indeed ; the general rule being that there will be nearly as 

 many different varieties resulting from the product of one such seed-ball as there are seeds 

 within it. 



A good way for starting the seedlings is to save the well-ripened seed of some good 

 variety, and plant it in the early spring, in boxes that may be well drained in order to pre 

 vent an excess of moisture. The soil best adapted is a sandy loam. Sow the seed on the sur 

 face rather sparingly, and sift fine soil over it to the depth of one-third of an inch ; water but 

 little, but just enough to keep the seed a little moist, and hasten germination. Set the boxes 

 in a place where the soil will receive warmth and light from the sun. When the young plants 

 are three or four inches high they can be transplanted directly to the field, taking pains not 

 to disturb the roots in removing. It is always best to take up a little of the soil with each 

 root. These should be set in a soil well pulverized, and properly prepared for a seed-bed, in 

 order to thrive well. They may be set in drills, one plant in a place about a foot apart, the 

 drills about three and a half feet apart, or in hills the same as in planting pieces of tubers. 

 Instead of sowing the seed in boxes, some very successful growers sow in beds prepared in 

 the open ground, generally selecting a partially shaded place. 



If sown in rows, they should be about ten inches apart. When sown in the open ground 

 a little more depth will be required in covering, a half -inch of soil not being too much. When 

 the tubers are harvested, they will not usually be much larger than walnuts. They should 

 be carefully stored in a cool place until the next spring, when they may be planted the same 

 as any mature variety. Three years are generally required to fully mature the seedlings or 

 to ascertain their true value, and not more than one or two varieties will be commonly found 

 among the product that will be considered worth propagating; sometimes none; however, if 

 only one valuable kind can thus be produced, it amply repays for all the trouble. 



Harvesting. The decay of the potato -vines indicates the maturity of the tubers; and 

 the crop should be harvested soon after. The tops should, however, be mainly dead before 

 this is done, as the ripening process goes on until this period, and if dug before they are per 

 fectly mature, it will greatly deteriorate the good qualities of the product, while, if they are 

 allowed to remain a long time in the soil after ripening, they will be liable to decay. Very 

 late harvesting in some localities might result in a loss of the crop through freezing. 



