FARMERS' METHODS OF PRODUCING PURE SEEDS 293 



The following is an outline of the possible steps : 



1. Obtain 3 or 4 pounds of the best available seed. 



2. Plant in a seed plot isolated as far as possible from other crops of a 

 like kind. Plant seed in rows 3 ft. apart and plant two or three seeds in 

 each hill, spacing the hills two ft. apart in the row. 



3. Remove all but a single plant from each hill when the plants are well 

 started. 



4. Keep the plot free from weeds. 



5. Discard all weak plants from time to time as they become apparent. 



6. Save seed of all desirable plants and increase. 



The improvement of the class of crops here mentioned is 

 somewhat more difficult than with small grains, corn, and pota- 

 toes, and should be undertaken only by the few seed producers 

 who are willing to take the necessary trouble to carry out care- 

 fully the details as outlined. Controlled experiments at some of 

 the state experiment stations and in Europe have shown that 

 much gain can be obtained by such selection. 



SEED REGISTRY OR CERTIFICATION 



The outlined seed plot methods are based upon fundamental 

 breeding principles. In order to protect the seed grower who 

 follows such a practice, some system of seed certification is 

 advisable. Various methods have been developed by crop 

 improvement associations. The details of procedure are those 

 which are based upon fundamentally sound business practice. 

 Seed that is eligible for registration must conform to certain 

 standards of purity and freedom from plant pests. The seed-plot 

 methods, if carefully followed, insure the production of seed of 

 a certain standard grade. Certification or registration shows 

 that the seed has been approved by the trained seed inspector. 



