PEOPAGATION 



may be only one or two which have the value of 

 a new variety. The new plants may give great 

 promise for a year or two, but soon develop 

 traits that are so undesirable that their propa- 

 gation is discontinued. 



Potatoes are propagated by cuttings from 

 thickened underground stems. The culture of 

 potatoes has been for the production of tubers, 

 and the floral parts have become reduced. How- 

 ever, they produce seed, though they are not apt 

 to " come true to the seed." 



The selection of seeds is very important. 

 Reliable, tested seeds yield best returns and the 

 products of large seeds have been found to be 

 larger and marketable earlier than those from 

 small seed. 



In these days of adulteration, unless careful 

 attention is given to the purity of seeds, many 

 noxious weeds are introduced and become seri- 

 ous pests. Some of the most troublesome weeds 

 are of European origin, Russian Thistle and 

 Canada Thistle, while Pigweed, Ragweed, 

 Burdock, Plaintain, Sheep-Sorrel, Shepherd's- 

 Purse are very common. 



Sample cases of seeds are prepared by the 

 Government, which will aid in identifying dif- 

 ferent seeds. Such a collection could be easily 

 made by the children in any community, and 

 really be of more 'se;:vice. A careful record of 



149 



