134 



Gardening 



for example, the flowers 

 are so constructed that 

 self-pollination is very 

 general ; so there is lit- 

 tle chance for crossing, 

 and any seed collected 

 is likely to be of single 

 parentage. 



Collection of seed. 

 The best methods of 

 collecting seeds depend 

 chiefly on the nature of 

 the fruit and how the 

 seeds are shed from it. 

 In all cases the aim is 

 to secure fully ripened 

 seeds and to collect them 

 before they are shed 

 broadcast. 



The fleshy fruits of 

 the pumpkin, squash, 

 cucumber, and tomato, selected from plants of good 

 quality, should be allowed to ripen fully. They may 

 then be cut open and the seed removed, washed, and 

 spread out on paper or cloth to dry. 



The best radish plants should be pulled when the 

 majority of the pods are fully ripe. The best bean 

 plants should be pulled when the pods are about to shed 

 their seeds. In both cases, the whole plant should 

 then be laid in a dry place for a while before the 

 seeds are removed. 



States Relations Service 

 FIG. 81. A tomato plant marked for seed. 



