Improving Plants and Seeds 147 



the differences in the heads. Now thresh out each head separately 

 and put the grains from each head in a small bottle. Note differ- 

 ences in color, size, shape, etc. What sorts do you consider the 

 best oats? Why? Save the best four and take home and plant one 

 seed at a time in drills one foot apart, and one foot in the drill. 

 Plant seeds from each head separately, so that if they grow differ- 

 ently it may be noticed. Compare the quality of the crop from the 

 four different heads. If the school has a school garden they may 

 be planted there. 



214. Effect of Cultivation. Cultivated plants are 

 shielded from competition with other plants; they are 

 planted in prepared ground, given plenty of space, and 

 protected from many destructive agencies; their seeds 

 are harvested, stored, and throughout the life of the 

 plant they are given favorable opportunity to make 

 vigorous growth. Cultivated plants are selected, not 

 for their ability to propagate under unfavorable con- 

 ditions, but because of their power to grow and fruit 

 under favorable conditions. Wild plants do better under 

 cultivation, but not in the same degree that improved 

 varieties do. In selecting seeds for propagation, prefer- 

 ence should be given to the forms which show the 

 greatest yield under favorable but practical conditions. 

 The local conditions, whether due to peculiarities of 

 climate or conditions produced by culture, often affect 

 the result quite as much, possibly more, than the kind 

 of seed. A variety may yield very satisfactory harvests 

 in one place, and yet be quite unsuited to other locali- 

 ties or uses. It has been found to be quite generally 

 true that when equal care is given to seed selection 

 home-grown seeds are better yielders. 



