CHAPTER XIX 

 FARMERS' METHODS OF PRODUCING PURE SEEDS 



The production of new varieties of farm crops is a specialized 

 line of work and should be undertaken as a rule only by men 

 who have had special training in crop breeding. The expense 

 and time necessary for this kind of experimental work are too 

 great for the individual farmer. The aim of the farmer or seed 

 grower should be to maintain the improved form and not to allow 

 contamination through crossing with inferior stock, admixture, 

 plant diseases, etc. A method of producing seed which will 

 stand this test and at the same time meet with the approval of 

 the farmer must be simple, effective, and inexpensive. A nation 

 or state cannot afford to maintain an experimental laboratory 

 only to have the products of that laboratory deteriorate because 

 of subsequent treatment. The maintenance of pure, improved 

 varieties as well as their discovery by selection or synthesis by 

 crossing is an essential factor in economic food production. Be- 

 fore taking up in detail methods of producing pedigreed seed by 

 farmers, a few observations regarding seeds in general will be 

 made. 



DETERMINATION OF BETTER VARIETIES 



Certain general facts regarding varieties should be understood. 

 The breeder and grower must recognize that no one variety is best 

 adapted to a particular locality or for all seasons. In some seasons 

 an early oat gives the best yield. Owing to slight seasonal 

 variations, a later variety may excel in yield. Thus, a single 

 season's test is not reliable as a means of determining the better 

 sort to grow. For this reason carefully conducted tests are 

 carried on each crop season. By means of these the experiment 

 stations are in a position to determine and advise as to the 

 better varieties. The final decision as to which variety to grow 

 must of course be made by the farmers and based on their act- 

 ual field experiences. 



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