CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 263 



bage seed on a very large scale. On the other hand, 

 just as good seed has been grown in the Puget Sound 

 district, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Michi- 

 gan and no doubt in other states. Soil and climatic con- 

 ditions are important factors, but the skill, thoroughness 

 and conscientiousness of the grower count for more than 

 favorable natural conditions. It is somewhat trouble- 

 some for a gardener to grow his own seed, but the plan 

 is practical and is followed by a few careful gardeners. 

 Good seed is largely a matter of intelligent and thorough 

 roguing. 



346. Seed growing. — To make proper selection of 

 plants for seed purposes the heads should be nearly ma- 

 ture. A common' practice among large growers is to 

 sow so late in the season that only a small percentage 

 of the heads will be well developed when the roguing 

 is done. Such plants winter with a smaller percentage 

 of loss than when more mature, but the selection is 

 likely to prove unsatisfactory. The gardener should 

 know the time requirements of the variety from which 

 seed is to be grown and try to have the heads nearly 

 mature Just previous to burying. On Long Island, most 

 late varieties are sown about June 15, while those of the 

 Wakefield type are not started until August. These 

 dates for sowing would be too late for most northern 

 states. The plants should not be grown in excessively 

 rich soils, for very large heads do not winter well. 



The roguing should be done as late as possible, dis- 

 carding all heads not typical of the variety. Thorough 

 winter protection must be given to both roots and tops. 

 The plants may be buried where they were grown and 

 the covering removed the following spring. In this way 

 a crop of seed may be produced without two transplant- 

 ings ; but the more approved plan is to lift the plants and 

 bury before there is danger of hard freezing weather. 

 Various methods are used in providing winter protec- 



