25 SEED-SAVING. 



There is undoubtedly a limit to the improvement of most 

 fruits ; but Currants like Grapes in size, and Gooseberries of 

 similar proportions to a small Melon, are not impossible, one 

 would think, judging from the results already obtained. Atten- 

 tion to gather or harvest seeds in dry weather, and just as soon 

 as they are perfectly ripe, is essential. Many seeds contained 

 in dry pods or capsules are separated by beating or by rubbing 

 in the hands. Pulpy fruits, as Melons, Cucumbers, bush 

 fruits, and Strawberries, require different treatment. Some 

 separate the seeds from the pulp by washing and straining in 

 clean water ; but it is advisable to do without this if possible, 

 as, unless the seeds so separated are very carefully dried in the 

 sun or before a fire, they turn mouldy and decay that is, 

 unless grown at once. I have adopted the following plan in 

 clearing Cucumber and Melon seeds ; and it is equally appli- 

 cable for all pulpy fruits, if the quantity to be separated is not 

 very large. Cut open the fruit and separate the seeds as cleanly 

 as possible with the fingers, laying them on a coarse dry towel, 

 in which they are to be rubbed until dry. The pulp quickly 

 becomes absorbed by the clQth ; but in some cases two towels 

 may be necessary, one to absorb the bulk of the slimy pulp, 

 and the other to thoroughly dry the seeds. Seeds so treated, 

 and exposed for an hour in the sun on a sheet of paper, may 

 be at once wrapped up and put away without any fear of 

 mildew or mouldiness. Most dry seeds, as Cabbage, Turnips, 

 and flower-seeds, are winnowed or cleaned by machinery ready 

 for the market. It is as well to bear in mind that all seeds 

 should be saved from the most perfect plants of their kind ; 

 and they should be harvested as soon as they are ripe, and 

 in dry weather. Thinning seeds, where it can be conveni- 

 ently done, is as essential to the production of plump, well- 

 developed seeds, as thinning Peaches or Grapes conduces to 

 finely-developed fruit ; while suitable soils and good cultivation 

 are just as important in one case as the other ; yet we often hear 

 the half-contemptuous expression, " Oh, I only stucl^ them in 

 there for seed ! " All seeds are best left on the plants until 

 they are ripe, but some plants do not ripen all their seeds at 

 once ; hence, as in grain, some are cut when comparatively 

 green, but with considerable stem attached, and those seeds 

 are as good as, in fact germinate more freely and sooner than, 

 those left to nature upon the growing plant. The seed in such 

 cases should be fully formed, and is better if kept in the husk 

 or pod until ready for sowing. 



