78 AMERICAN GARDENER. 



137. First, as to the saving of seed, the truest 

 plants should be selected; that is to say, such as 

 are of the most perfect shafie and quality. In 

 the Cabbage we seek small stem, well-formed 

 loaf, few spare, or loose, leaves ; in the Turnip, 

 large bulb, small neck, slender-stalked leaves, 

 solid flesh, or pulp ; in the Raddish, high colour 

 (if red or scarlet,) small neck, few and short 

 leaves, and long top. The marks of perfection are 

 well known, and none but perfect plants should 

 be saved for seed. The case is somewhat dif- 

 ferent as to plants, which are some male and 

 others female, but, these present exceptions to be 

 noticed under the names of such plants. 



138. Of plants, the early coming of which is a 

 circumstance of importance, the very earliest 

 should be chosen for seed ; for, they will almost 

 a'wtys be found to include the highest degree of 

 p'.r.ection in other respects. They should have 

 great pains taken with them ; the soil and situa- 

 tion shoui <: be K'oocl; and they should be careful- 

 ly cjlr.;v-dcd, during the time that they are car- 

 rying oil tiieir seed to. perfection. 



139. But, effectual means must be taken to 

 \ v ent a mixing' of the sorts, or, to speak in the 

 language of farmers, a crossing of the breeds. 

 There can be no cross between the sheep, and 

 the dog : but there can be between the dog and 

 the wolf; and, we daily see it, between the grey- 

 hound, and the hound; each valuable when true 

 to his kind; and across between the two, fit for 

 nothing but the rope : a word which, on this oc- 

 casion, I use, in preference to that of halter, out 

 of respect for the modern laws and usages of my 

 native country. 



