THE PLANT. 71 



4. The guiding of inherent life-forces in the direction of an ideal 

 product. 



Since we have determined that the basic facts of plant-im- 

 provement are breeding and selection, the method of procedure 

 should be the next important step if the work is to be carried 

 on in the garden, orchard and greenhouse. 



Steps in Plant Breeding. 



1. Wait till the flowers are in full bloom, before the work of 

 pollination begins. 



2. The amateur should begin plant breeding with simple problems. 



3. Begin the work by taking the single flower instead of the com- 

 posite one. 



4. The beginner should commence crossing sweet peas, geraniums, 

 petunias, and Japanese pinks or violets. 



5. The sweet pea and the violet offer unusual opportunities. 



A Concrete Example. 



Take a variety of sweet peas for an experiment. Decide upon 

 some particular improvement that it is desired to bring about. 

 Have an ideal firmly set in the mind. If the stems are too long, 

 select for shorter stems. If the blossom is too small, select for 

 a larger blossom. If the color is pink and you want it red, pollin- 

 ate for a crimson hue. Keep only those plants that are develop- 

 ing the characteristics for which you are breeding. Destroy all 

 the others or they may cross-pollinate with those selected for the 

 test and prevent desired results. 



Selection. 



Great care should be exercised in selecting and saving seeds 

 for the next crop. Let them be kept in air-tight jars. From the 

 plants grown from the new seed, select the plant that ^comes 

 nearest to the ideal. The seeds from this plant should be planted, 

 where they may be identified. Seeds from a few of the next 

 best types may be sown to afford a larger crop for the next gen- 

 eration. 



The selection of the fittest or nearest to the ideal must con- 

 tinue. Always save the best. This may be carried on for gen- 

 erations. 



