lMIMlOVIN(i 13Y SELECTION. a03 



1mv(t not elosoly studit'd tliom, so that fiiriiuTs iiro not likely to 

 nuiko oxpt'i-iintMitH. Tiiis is u .strong ivii.son u-liy tliu stiiti' iind 

 initioiml governments should assist agriculture in an undcrtakintr 

 which seeniH so fruitful of good results within a short time, at 

 so trifling an expense. Kxpeditions are sent at great expense to 

 explore Polar seas, with a view (o slightly extend our knowh'dge 

 of a harren {)ortion of the earth's surface. Large sums ari^ em- 

 l)loyed to lit up in magnificent style, and send to the remotest 

 parts of tlui earth, expeditions to spend a few minutes in ohserv- 

 ing an ecli])se or a transit of Venus. Would the sending of com- 

 petent persons around the earth in search of hotter grasses he an 

 undertaking less i)raisewort]iy!'' 



Iiiiproviiii^ }»y Selection.— The good effects of a change of 

 seed is in nuiny (sases already enjoyed in the case of grasses and 

 clovers, as most farmers occasionally purchase their seed. A 

 change of seed means a change of soil and surroundings; and 

 these are likely to benefit the plants. 



Probably every reader believes that the following from JArt.s- 

 ter's Plmtt Life is true: 



'• In a wheat field or bean crop no two plants are exactly alike ; 

 one is more robust than another, one tillers more than the rest, 

 the ears of one arc plumper and fuller, this one grows earlier or 

 later in spring, is therefore hardier or more tender, as the ease 

 may be. The careful observer notes these points, and instead of 

 passing them over endeavors to turn them to account by select- 

 ing the plant which shows a tendency to vary, taking seed from 

 it and growing that seed another season." The best is selected, 

 the process continued. 



The shrewdest horticulturists are continually and successfully 

 following this plan. To a limited degree the general farmer does 

 the same thing. By this process, Major Hallett in five years 

 caused the length of the ears of wheat to double, their contents 

 to nearly treble, and their tillering power to increase five fold. 

 39 



