Book V. CHOICE OF SEEDS AND PLANTS. TS7 



excellence some varieties have attained over tneir originals. Who, upon viewing the wild cabbage that 

 grows along our sea-coast, would ever imagine that cauliflower or broccoli would have been produced by 

 the same ? Or who would expect the well-formed apple of a pound's weight from the verjuice plant in 

 our hedges? Many instances might be noticed of original species that are scarcely fit to be eaten by the 

 beasts of the field, the varieties of which afford a nutritious and wholesome food for man. Upon com- 

 paring the original variety of the Z)aCicus Carbta, the Pastinkca sativa, and some others indigenous to our 

 climate, with their varieties produced by culture, we are struck with their great inferiority, and cannot 

 help reflecting on the hapless condition of that hungry savage who first taught us their use ; for nothing 

 short of the greatest privation could ever have led to that discovery. Indeed, nothing is more obvious, 

 upon comparing original species with their varieties produced by culture, than that we, by means of the 

 latter, enjoy a vegetable food far preferable to that of our forefathers ; a circumstance from which it may 

 be inferred that posterity is destined to enjoy a better than that which we do now. For although it i 

 reasonable to believe that there exists a degree of excellence attainable by varieties over the species 

 whence they have sprung, yet as that degi-ee is unknown, and as it is probably beyond the power of man, 

 of cultivation, or of time, to determine the same, we are justified in regarding it as progressive, and in con- 

 sidering the production of a good variety as the sign or harbinger of a better. 



4861. The poxver of distinguishing varieties, and of forming some idea of their worth at sight, is an 

 attainment much to be desired, because valuable varieties may sometimes appear to those who have it 

 not in their power to prove them by trial ; and if they have, the probability is, that the means to be em. 

 ployed require more care, time, and attention than they are disposed to bestow on plants the merits of 

 which are doubtful : whereas, were such persons capable of forming an estimate of the worth of varieties 

 from their appearance, then would they use means for their preservation, whenever their appearance was 

 found to indicate superiority, 'i'hat this is an attainment of considerable importance, will be readily 

 allowed j yet, that it, in some cases, requires the most strict attention, appears from the circumstance of 

 varieties being oftentimes valuable, though not conspicuously so. Let us suppose, for instance, that in a 

 field of wheat there exists a plant, a new variety, having two more fertile joints in its spike, and equal to 

 the surrounding wheat in every other respect : a man accustomed to make the most minute observations, 

 would scarcely observe such a variety, unless otherwise distinguished by some peculiar badge ; nor would 

 any but a person versed in plants know that it was of superior value if placed before him. How many 

 varieties answering this description may have existed and escaped observation, which, had they been 

 observed, and carefully treated, would have proved an invaluable acquisition to the community ! The 

 number of fertile joints in tlie spike of the wheat generally cultivated, varies from eighteen to twenty- 

 two ; and the inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland amount to nearly the same number of millions : 

 therefore, as the wheat produced in those islands has been of late years sufficient, or nearly sufficient, to 

 supply the inhabitants thereof with bread, it is evident that a variety with two additional fertile joints, 

 and equal in other respects to the varieties at present in cultivation, would, when it became an object of 

 general culture, afford a supply of bread to at least two millions of souls, without even another acre being 

 brought into cultivation, or one additional drop of sweat from the brow of the husbandman. 



4862. The same varieties are not repeatedly produced by culture ; if they were, there would not exist that 

 necessity for strict observation and skill on the part of observers ; because, if a variety were lost or 

 destroyed, we might look forward to its re-appearance: or did we possess the power of producing varieties, 

 and of producing them late or early, tall or dwarf, sweet or sour, or just as we might wish to have them, 

 then might we plead an excuse for inattention. But experience shows, that when a variety is lost, it is 

 for ever lost ; and the slightest reflection cannot fail of convincing us, that our power of protUicing them 

 is most limited. Indeed, our knowledge only enables us to produce those of the intermediate kind j 

 while varieties that confer extension or excellence are as likely to be producetl from the seed sown and 

 treated by the humble labourer as from that sown and treated by the ablest horticulturist, the most 

 skilful botanist, or most profound philosopher of the age. From these remarks it is obvious, that the 

 benefits mankind derive from the varieties produced by culture are numerous and important, and 

 that the discovery of those of merit is an object highly deserving of our attention." {Bishop's Causal 

 Botany.) 



4863. The varieties of wheat and barley in general cultivationy Mr. Gorrie observes, are " not nu- 

 mcrous; but were a part of that attention paid to the production of new and improved varieties 

 of field-beans, peas, oats, barley, and wheat, which is now almost wasted on live stock, the same success 

 might follow, and varieties of each of these useful species of grain might he found as far surpassing those 

 now in cultivation as the modern breeds of horses and cattle surpass those of former days. I'o effect 

 this, a simple process only is necessary. When any two varieties are intended to be used in ' crossing,' 

 it is necessary that they should be sown at such periods as may render them likely to flower at the same 

 time ; and we would recommend that such plants should be sown or transplanted into flower-pots, par- 

 ticularly the variety to be used as i\\e female breeder. The parts of fructification of all the Cere^lia tribe 

 are composed of a stigma, or fringed substance, which crowns the embryo grain ; three anthers or male 

 parts, which have either a purple or yellow colour; and firm, small, round, or rather longish cylindrical 

 knobs, with a hollow line longitudinally along the middle, on the side farthest from the filament which 

 supports these anthers. Allowing that there are six plants, say of wheat, in a pot to be impregnated, let 

 the variety possessing the greatest proportion of desirable qualities be selected for the male, from a 

 field or otherwise, and, before the anthers appear outside the glume, let the chaff be opened by a slight 

 touch of the forefinger ; cut off the anthers of all the ears grbwing on the plants in the pot, and then take 

 the male parts of the variety wished to be improved, which have been newly out of the chaflf", and, before 

 the farina is all dissipated, touch the stigma of all the embryo grains whence the anthers have been 

 previously removed, gently, with newly burst anthers, till the stigma is partially covered with the dust or 

 pollen ; keep the plants at a distance from the fields where grain of the same sort is coming in the flower, 

 tUl the flowering season is fairly over, then, to prevent sparrows or other birds from picking the 

 impregnated grains, plunge the pots to the brims in a field of the same kind of grain. Save every 

 seed, and sow them carefully next season ; if the process has been properly performed, there may be 

 many varieties even from one ear ; the best should be marked, and the produce of each stalk worthy of 

 notice kept, and propagated distinctly by itself. If all the farmers in a district were to submit five or six 

 plants only to such process, we might soon have hundreds of new varieties, and it is certainly within 

 the limits of probability to expect a few varieties superior to any now in cultivation." [Perth Miscellany, 

 vol. i. p. 17.) 



4864. Grain, seeds, and roots intended for reproduction are not required to have come to tlie same 

 degree of maturity on the plant, as when intended for meal or other products to be consumed as food. 

 The cause of this has never been satisfactorily explained j all that is alleged being the conjecture, that 

 the cotyledons of the seed are better fitted for entering the vessels of the minute plant, when they are not of 

 such a farinaceous nature, as when these cotyledons are more mature. " That^rain not perfectly niatured 

 is fully qualified for seed, is evident from places situated near rivers or lakes, where the grain in some 

 seasons is subject to be what the people who cultivate such situations term blasted or mildewed. This 

 happens in autumn, before the grain is matured, and is probably caused by fogs or damps which arise 

 from the water. This blast discolours the straw, and renders it so friable that it will hardly bind itself; 

 the grain never receives any more nourishment, is shrivelled and light, and soon assumes a ripe appearance, 

 and so small a quantity of farinaceous matter will be contained in the grains, that a sheaf, after being reaped, 

 will feel as light in the hand as if it had been previously threshed ; and yet, for as bad as it appears, it is 

 commonly taken for seed, and never fails to give a luxuriant crop, provided it escape the following 

 autumn." {Ibid.) 



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