94 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



This method of procedure is just as important with 

 every other vegetable. The grower who wants better 

 seed must have well-defined ideas before attempting any 

 work of breeding or selection. If the cantaloupes are too 

 coarsely netted, select for fineness of markings; if the 

 cabbage lacks uniformity in time of ripening, select with 

 this in view; if the onions are too flat, deepen the bulbs 

 by selecting with this idea prevailing. Many other illus- 

 trations might be given. By intelHgent selection it is 

 possible to make improvements in size, color, form, 

 flavor, texture, number of seeds, habit of growth, resist- 

 ance to drouth, cold, heat and disease. Many valuable 

 new varieties have been developed by the method indi- 

 cated. The purpose of this chapter, however, is not to 

 encourage the creation of new varieties, important though 

 this may be, but to assist growers in the betterment of 

 old varieties. 



141. Commercial seed growing. — In the early days 

 small lots of seed were kept for sale at grocery stores. 

 As the population increased, and farming and gardening 

 became more important, seed supply houses were organ- 

 ized. The first houses were established in this country 

 about 1820, and the first catalogs printed soon afterward. 

 Numerous houses have been started in all of the large cities 

 and some of them have become mammoth establishments. 



The seed business is highly specialized, requiring the 

 service of experts who understand the principles of plant 

 breeding. Much greater care and skill are exercised by 

 some firms than by others; the most reliable maintain 

 extensive trial grounds, where the seeds are tested before 

 being sold. It is a means of protecting both the dealer 

 and the buyer. 



Two methods are pursued by dealers in securing the 

 seed required for their trade. Most large firms own land 

 on which certain seeds are grown under their direct man- 

 agement. It is usual to charge higher prices for such 



