40 



APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES TO FARM CROPS 



FIG. 30. Variation in the apex of heads of timothy. 

 (Cornell.) 



of flower buds with 

 paper bags. Seed thus 

 formed will produce 

 plants which are more 

 vigorous and product- 

 ive, and are also more 

 uniform. Much atten- 

 tion should be given 

 to the improvement of 

 varieties by selection. 

 For example, if a cer- 

 tain variety is used as 

 cigar wrapper the 

 qualities desired for 

 that purpose will serve 

 as a guide in selecting the plants from which to save the seed. 

 Oats. As the flowers of this plant are self -pollinated there 

 is no danger of poor varieties mixing with better ones. .Improve- 

 ment is therefore easily carried on. Save the best heads showing 

 greatest yield. In certain varieties it is well to eliminate the 

 beards by selection. Uniformity in height and size of heads, 

 plumpness of grain, ability to harvest without shattering are all 

 desirable characters. Much can 

 be done to prevent disease by 

 selecting seed from plants which 

 resist the attacks of smut and 

 rust. 



Timothy .Under careful se- 

 lection timothy will show wide 

 differences in the length and 

 diameter of heads, the quan- 

 tity of seed produced, the height 

 and leanness of the growth, and 

 the number of stalks from a 

 single root. In improving the 

 strains the seed from individual 

 heads may be kept separate and 

 planted in separate rows or 

 clumps, where the plants will not 

 be pollinated by inferior strains. 



., 1,1 p T ,1 FIG. 31. Variation in thickness of heads of 



The work thus far indicates that timothy. (Cornell.) 



