52 AGRICULTURE 



will not be all alike. Some will resemble the big-boll 

 mother plant ; some will be like the long-staple father 

 plant; some will be unlike either; and some may combine 

 the likeness of both parents. The plant-breeder must 

 plant the seed, giving a separate row to the seed of each 

 plant ; for several years in succession he must select for 

 seed the plants that come nearest to uniting the qualities 

 that he wishes large bolls and long lint. It will usually 

 be best for the farmer to rely for improvement on selec- 

 tion alone, rather than on crossing. 



Cross-pollination generally better than self-pollination. 

 Generally, pollen is most effective in causing seed to de- 

 velop when the pollen and the pistil are borne on different 

 plants. When the pollen of a corn plant standing alone 

 falls on the silks of the same plants, grains develop. But 

 the plants grown from such corn grains are less vigorous 

 and productive than plants from seed having two parents 

 not closely related. It is to avoid self-pollination that some 

 seed-breeders pull the immature tassels from the corn 

 plants on the rows from which they intend to select their 

 best seed corn. 



EXERCISE. Farmers' boys can greatly increase next year's corn 

 crop by selecting a few bushels of seed from the best plants. 



When wheat or oats are ripe, remember, if you live on a farm, to 

 watch for the best plants and to save seeds from a few of them for 

 planting by themselves next year. 



Have all the wild plants suitable for human use been cultivated and 

 improved? Perhaps you will be the one to bring another wild forage 

 plant or flower into use. 



NOTE TO THE TEACHER. Emphasize the great opportunity for 

 good in selecting seed from the best plants. Weighing the product 

 of good and very poor plants of corn, cotton, potatoes, etc., will help 



