CHAPTiilR IX 



Every Fanner a Plant Breeder 



Much attention has been given to the breeding 

 3f animals. As a result greater efficiency has been 

 secured, even though scrub animals do still exist. 

 In a general way, too, farm crops have been im- 

 proved. But the rules of breeding and selection 

 have not been as consistently indulged in with 

 plants as with domestic animals. We have rather 

 carelessly selected our wheat and corn — have 

 selected our farm crops without any special search 

 for the individuals that yield the heaviest or that 

 give the most profitable returns. 



Seed selection has come into the limelight in 

 recent years; with some crops great progress has 

 been made. From the crab apple has come the 

 improved apple; by selection many classes and 

 varieties of apples today are larger, more nutritious 

 and more appetizing. The florist has taken some 

 of the most common flowers and by crossing and 

 selecting has developed improved varieties of 

 superior usefulness and beauty. He has taken 

 other varieties and by cross-fertilization and hybrid- 

 ization has established new types and new forms 

 that differ widely from the original stock. Today 

 these occupy places peculiar to themselves. 



Seed selection is nothing more than the breeding 

 and selecting of those forms best adapted to their 

 environment and which, in addition, produce the 

 most at harvest time. The propaganda for plant 

 improvement seeks to give field crops the same 



84 



