PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



It should be watched closely and the seed saved in order to 

 propagate more like it, so that it may be tested. It may 

 prove to be of no especial importance, or it may have some 

 very desirable qualities not possessed 

 by others of its kind. 



A number of important cultivated 

 plants seem to have originated in this 

 way. The Fultz wheat is an example. 

 In Pennsylvania in the summer of 

 1862, Abraham Fultz when going 

 through his field of Lancaster wheat, 

 which is a bearded variety, happened 

 to notice a plant whose heads were 

 not bearded. This was so unusual 

 that he kept close watch over the 

 plant during the remainder of the 

 growing season, and at harvest time 

 he saved the heads of it. He re- 

 moved the grains, planted them in 

 a plot to themselves, and later similar 

 ing from pollen grain on beardless plants appeared. Again he 



the stigma to embryo sac , ,, , -, , ,.,, 



which contains the egg saved the seed and Panted a Still 



nucleus. larger plot. This operation was re- 

 has come from the pollen to plant his entire farm. He after- 

 grain by means of the pollen wardg iume ^ over to the U. S. Depart- 

 tube C and B unite, to 



form the fertilized egg. ment of Agriculture a considerable 

 amount of seed for distribution. Since 

 wheat has been 



Pistil of flower showing 

 single ovule at time of 

 pollination. 



A. Pollen tube extend- 



For details see figure on 

 page 151 



then the Fultz 

 considered one of the best varieties adapted to the eastern 

 part of the Corn Belt. 



The Clawson wheat, a variety with white grains, first 



