254 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



squashes, &c., he remarks that they vegetate best where the 

 ground is comparatively dry and warm at the time of planting, 

 as, however early the operation is performed, they seldom make 

 much progress until settled warm weather. Our own experience 

 corresponds with this. Our marrow squashes were not planted 

 this year until some of the last days of May, and we never suc- 

 ceeded better, though care was taken, by abundant manuring in 

 the hill, to secure as vigorous a start as possible. 



Another point, is to allow the plants plenty of room. No 

 definite rule can be laid down applicable to all cases, but abun- 

 dance of light, air and nourishment are quite necessary to plants, 

 forming seeds ; and it is only by providing for these that the 

 seed-grower can expect a full reward for his pains. 



It is well known by horticulturists that, with umbelliferous 

 plants, such as carrots and parsnips, ttie seeds growing from the 

 centre stem are not only the most perfect, but that they are 

 much the most likely to preserve the variety from deterioration. 

 This is in accordance with a law which seems to underlie all 

 forms of propagation. If we wish to propagate a particular kind 

 of grape, we must select cuttings from well ripened wood, from a 

 main or upright shoot, because the side shoots are weakly in 

 comparison with these. If we want to preserve a choice variety 

 of strawberry, in its original excellence, we must be careful to 

 discard all sets in transplanting, except those which run in a 

 direct line from the parent plant. And among animals, it would 

 seem as if something of the same law was di'scernable in the fact 

 that in preserving particular strains of blood, a cross, even for 

 one generation, is considered as contrary to sound principles of 

 breeding. To the same effect is a statement we have lately seen 

 made, that miscegenation of races produces an enfeebled consti- 

 tution, if not disease, in the progeny. It can hardly be supposed 

 that the seed-raiser will throw away all his seed except that 

 grown from the centre stalk, as he would find but few willing to 

 pay him its full value ; but the amateur, by taking advantage of 

 the law, and raising his own seed, can secure himself from a 

 great amount of disappointment and vexation. 



PRESERVATION OP SEEDS. 



It is to be presumed that the professional seed-grower is suffi- 

 ciently alive to his own interests to take proper care of his seeds 



