GOOD SEED. 513 



be the most vigorous plants selected from the best variety for this purpose. Even then, only 

 the most perfectly developed and matured seed of such plants should be preserved for 

 planting. 



The effect of cultivation and careful selection of seed may be seen by comparing any one of 

 our agricultural products with the original plant in its wild state, such as the potato, for instance, 

 which, when growing wild, has scarcely any tubers at all, they being very small and of an 

 exceedingly strong, unpleasant flavor , its product being principally the balls growing at the 

 top of the vines for the production of the seed. The long period of cultivation given this 

 plant, the constant aim being to develop the size and quality of the tubers, has resulted in 

 changing its appearance almost beyond recognition, when compared with its original progen 

 itor. We shall find it thus with respect to all cultivated plants. Our many and choice vari 

 eties of fruit are the result of long and patient labor in improving upon the wild types, the 

 flavor, size, color, period of ripening, adaptation to climate and soil, etc., all being taken into 

 account in the process of development towards the ideal standard which the grower has in 

 mind, and at which he is constantly aiming, the time required to reach the desired results 

 sometimes requiring many years, or even a life-time. 



Choice of Plants for Producing Seed. In no department of agriculture is more 

 skill and good judgment essential than in the raising or selection of seed. It is well known, 

 as has been previously stated, that all variations of agricultural products have been produced 

 by a long course of cultivation and reproduction from the seed, in many cases changing a 

 seemingly worthless, bitter weed into a valuable, edible plant. In this cultured state, which 

 has a tendency to develop the highest possibilities of the plant, it is in an artificial condition, 

 as it were, and there is a constant tendency to revert or return to its original wild state ; 

 therefore there is required, on the part of the cultivator, much care in the selection and grow 

 ing of the seed, in order to counteract this tendency. 



In the production of seed, the choice of plants is of the highest importance. All plants 

 of the most approved varieties will not produce the same quality of seed. Other conditions 

 being equal, the general rule of nature, that &quot;like produces like,&quot; is as true when applied to 

 the vegetable as the animal kingdom ; and the principles of reproduction that apply to the 

 one, will also apply equally well to the other. No farmer would expect to obtain a pure-bred 

 animal from a mongrel and inferior herd, or a healthy progeny from a weak and diseased 

 animal of a pure breed. Such a result would of necessity be an anomaly in nature. It is 

 equally true . that seed of the best quality cannot be produced from inferior plants, whether 

 they be of an inferior kind, or the weak and sickly plants of a choice variety. The process 

 of forming or establishing a distinct breed of animals that will transmit fixed characteristics, 

 is a slow and difficult one. However fine the individual animal may be, there is that tendency, 

 which is everywhere seen in nature, to revert to the original type, and the hopes of the 

 breeder will often be blighted by the occasional sports and reversions of this kind, that will 

 prove serious obstacles in his way. Hence it is necessary to select the most perfect types of ani 

 mals, those having those qualities that are desirable for transmission, for perfecting or maintain 

 ing the distinctive characteristics of the breed. The same skill is essential in producing and im 

 proving varieties of plants, and since the larger portion of the profits of the general farmer 

 are obtained from the quality and yield of his plant growths, the labor and expense in 

 volved in the raising or purchasing of the very best seed will be amply repaid in the results of 

 the crop. In the first place, then, farmers should take pains to raise only the best varieties 

 of crops. It costs no more labor, time, or money to produce a good variety of vegetable 

 growth, than a poor one, unless it be at first in the purchase of choice and rare varieties of 

 seed when making a change in this respect. A tree, grape vine, crop of potatoes, or grain, 

 yielding an inferior product, will extract as much nutriment from the soil, and require as 

 much care and attention from the grower, as those that yield the choicest products of their 



