SEED-GROWING. 27 



select the finest specimens of fruit regardless of the 

 plant. Neither of these methods are perfect, but one 

 should select the perfect fruits from the most perfect 

 plants. By such selecting, the variety is constantly 

 improved until it finally amounts to enough difference 

 to make a new variety which shall have none of the 

 defects of its ancestors. 



It sometimes occurs that a plant appears that is 

 strikingly different from the others in the field. Such 

 plants are often designated " sports"; the seed from 

 these will reproduce these peculiarities, and by select- 

 ing the typical specimens from the product of such 

 sports, new varieties may be originated. This method 

 is less profitable and not so certain of a good product. 



HOW TO TEST THE VITALITY OF SEED. 



As so much depends on having seed that will ger- 

 minate readily, it is very important to know exactly 

 what to expect in the matter. A very simple method 

 is to sow the seed in a pan that can be kept constantly 

 moist and warm. There is considerable risk connected 

 with this method, and one needs to exercise much care 

 and judgment. The amount of soil in one of these 

 pans will be small, and easily chilled or overheated. 

 A modification of the above is to cover the soil with 

 a cloth, sow the seed on this, cover the seed with 

 another cloth, and put about a half inch of moist 

 sand on this cloth. The advantage in this way is 

 that the seeds can be examined easily, and in case of 

 their rotting, there is no delay in finding it out. The 

 seed may also be tested in a hot-bed or cold frame 

 using the same precautions as where a pan is used. 



Some European countries have seed-control stations 

 under the direction of the governments. These insti- 

 tutions test the vitality of the seed offered for sale and 

 examine them as to purity, thus protecting the buyers 



