

AMERICAN GARDENER 83 



that this may probably take place though the 

 plants stand at a considerable distance apart, 

 since I have, in the case of my Indian Corn, 

 given proof of mixture, when the plants were 

 three hundred yards from each other. What 

 must be the consequence, then, of saving seed 

 from cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squashes, 

 and gourds, all growing in the same garden at 

 the same time? To save the seed of two sorts of 

 any tribe, in the same garden,-- in the same year^ 

 ought not to be attempted ; and this it is, that 

 makes it difficult for any one man to raise all sorts 

 of seeds good and true, 



148. However, some may be saved by everyone 

 who has a garden ; and, when raised, they ought 

 to be carefully preserved. They are best pre- 

 served in the fiod^ or on the stalks. Seeds of 

 many sorts will be perfectly good to the age of 

 eight or ten years, if kept in the pod or on the 

 stalks, which seeds, if threshed, will be good for 

 little at the end of three years or less. However, 

 to keep seeds, without threshing them out, is sel- 

 dom convenient, often impracticable, and always 

 exposes them to injury from mice and rats, and 

 from various other enemies, of which, however the 

 greatest is carelessness. Therefore, the best way 

 is, except for things that are very curious, and 

 that lie in a small compass, to thresh out all 

 s'eeds. 



149. They should stand till perfectly rifie, if 

 possible. They should be cut, or pulled, or 

 gathered, when it is dry ; and, they should, if 

 possible, be dry as dry can be, before they are 

 threshed out. If, when threshed, any moisture 

 itemain about them, they shouJft be placed in tlje 



