HERB AND FLOWER SEEDS. 



The general directions given in the preceding pages 

 for growing commercial or field crops of seed of the 

 different varieties of vegetables, as well as for raising 

 choice stock seed, will also apply to the production of 

 all herb and flower seeds. The operation is always to 

 be governed by the character or nature of the variety 

 and extent of crop proposed to be grown. 



After all, the process of saving seeds is simple and 

 natural. It is merely that to obtain the finest seeds 

 which shall insure the most satisfactory results, you 

 should save seeds only from ideal specimen plants, that 

 is, from plants which produce only perfect flowers and 

 possess all the characters you would like to see in the 

 offspring. Namely, all the true attributes of the vari- 

 ety inclusive of a robust frame or stalk, and clean, 

 healthy foliage. 



In addition, if it is desired to save a few strictly 

 choice seeds, then only the first or earliest perfect flow- 

 ers which develop on the ideal plant chosen must be 

 allowed to go to seed, and this plant should be covered 

 with mosquito netting to prevent cross-fertilizing with 

 inferior plants which may be growing nearby. 



In saving seed on a small scale, the selected plants 

 may be marked either with a wooden label or a stake 

 driven alongside, and it is better to tie all such plants 

 to stakes for support. 



In cases where the character of the variety be such 

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