FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 47 



the seeds of the plants thus selected raise a yearly stock, 

 sufficient to serve for seed. The more constantly the 

 selections are made, however, the more valuable may the 

 products be expected from such seeds. 



In regard to the means, just mentioned, for preventing a 

 degeneracy of seeds, by the intermixture of different sfiecies 

 of the same plant, we will state a case. Of the Brassica tribe 

 of plants there are different species, and also -varieties of 

 two of these, to wit; cabbages of several varieties, common 

 turnips of several, and the cabbage-turnip, or ruta-baga, of 

 which there are no varieties. The Cabbages are valuable 

 for their heads, or leaves ; the common turnip, for its bul- 

 bous root; and ruta-baga, for its bulbous stalk. 



Now, if seeds for ruta-baga, and for cabbages, were 

 constantly raised beside each other, the consequence would 

 be, that the bulb of the former would become less, and its 

 foliage more extended; while the head or foliage of the 

 cabbage would lessenj and its stalk^ become somewhat bul- 

 bous : And if all the species and varieties of the plant 

 were constantly grown together, for seed, they would grad- 

 ually become more assimilated, and the most valuable parts 

 of each, of course, lessened in product. 



But sometimes an improvement of seed is to be effected, 

 by growing varieties of the same plant together. Of Pota- 

 toes, for instance, there are many varieties, some prefera- 

 ble tor one particular quality, and some for another; some 

 for greatness of product, and others for mealiness, and fine- 

 ness of taste; and, in such case, by growing them togeth- 

 er, a race is produced which, in part, partakes of the good 

 qualities of each. 



The same may be observed of many other plants ; and in 

 some instances, perhaps, improvements might be made, by 

 blending the most valuable qualities, of plants of different 

 species, together. 



Such, we conceive to be, the doctrine of Mr. Coofierz 

 and we are of opinion that, in general, it is well founded. 

 Mr. C. also contends, and we think with much truth, that 

 there is a natural disposition in all seeds, or plants^ 

 gradually to become habituated to the soil, or climate, in 

 which they are grown. 



CHANGE OF CROPS. Lands ^re least exhausted by 

 a judicious change of such crops as are most suitable to 

 the soil. Some lands are well suited for a great variety 

 of crops; some, only for particular growths, or for a tew 

 plants. Some plants may be constantly raised ID particular 

 soils, without essentially exhausting them ; and some re- 

 quire a constant change of ground, to grow to any advan- 

 tage. 



