FARM CROPS. 



109 



from the best plants. A little intelligent work in this 

 line will greatly improve the crop, because he can 

 modify almost any of the characteristics of the plant 

 by selecting seed from the stalks showing the desired 

 characters most strongly developed. It is generally 

 best to take advantage of what others have accom- 

 plished in these lines and start with seed that are 

 known to be good, and continue the improvement for 

 adaptation to local conditions. The seed from each 

 selected stalk should be planted in a row by itself and 

 if it shows strongly the desired characters the crop 

 can be saved for a larger planting. A nursery plot 

 where the selections of fifty or more stalks can be per- 



COTTON IMPROVED BY SELECTION OF SEED. 



petuated in this way each year will lead to great im- 

 provement in the field crop. 



Nature of Fiber. The fibers or hairs develop from 

 the surface of the seed. In the Sea Island cotton, and 

 in some seeds of many upland cottons, the hairs be- 



