IMPROVEMENT OF SEEDS AND SEED GRAINS. 21 
All farms and all kinds and conditions of soils are not well adapted for the pro- 
duction of seed of superior quality, of all kinds of crops. Grain, and other seeds, for 
seed purposes, should be produced on lands that are free from noxious weeds and capable 
of producing those crops at their best in quality and in yield per plant. 
There is a need and opportunity in every agricultural locality in Canada for a 
few farmers to make a specialty of growing high-class seed in quantity for the pur- 
poses of seed as distinguished from grain for feed or food. Thére would be immediate: 
profit to all growers who managed that special branch of farming with care and in- 
telligence. Other farmers would seek from them the supplies of seed for their general 
farm crops. 
The best results for all concerned are to be obtained from organized effort, under 
intelligent direction. Associations of farmers making a specialty of growing grain and 
other crops for seed purposes on well kept and highly conditioned farms, should be 
organized as a means of improving their seed and of educating buyers and farmers 
generally on the value of pure-bred registered seed. 
I. Some four hundred and fifty of the parents of competitors who have been 
operating plots in the Macdonald seed grain competition have expressed their in- 
tention of continuing the work of producing pure-bred seed by hand selection. They 
with others who may join us, will become the original members of the Macdonald- 
Robertson Seed Growers’ Association for the Dominion of Canada. 
I desire that seed growers who have given special attention to the production of 
wheat, oats, barley, rye and corn during the past few years should also become operat- 
ing members of this association and make provision for operating a seed plot. 
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II. The object of the association wi.l be to advance the interests of seed growers,— 
(1.) By forming regulations as to methods; 
(2.) By publishing information as to standards; 
(3.) By issuing certificates of registration which will distinguish between hand 
selected pure-bred seed and ordinary grain; and 
. (4.) By such other means as may become expedient from time to time. 
Provisional directors of the association are to be called together at some future 
time to consider and revise the rules and regulations which have been drafted for the 
guidance of those who operate seed plots in 1903. Arrangements may also be made 
for the formation of district and local associations in the various provinces. 
III. The Macdonald-Robertson Seed Growers’ Association for the Dominion shall 
consist of honorary and operating members. - 
(2.) Persons who may be engaged in agricultural research work, or who may be 
otherwise interested in the progress of agriculture, may be admitted as honorary mem- 
bers. When appointed or elected as honorary members of the association, they will be 
eligible to any office, and enjoy the same rights and powers as operating members. 
(3.) To be eligible as an operating member the applicant must be a producer of 
_ improved seed, and must each year conduct a hand-selected seed plot, consisting of not 
less than one quarter acre of land. 
IV. By the term ‘hand-selected seed plot of the first year,’ is meant a piece of 
land bearing a crop produced direct from seed obtained by selection, by hand, of the 
heads or ears from plants appearing relatively large and vigorous for the variety. 
(2.) By the term ‘ hand-selected seed plot of the second year,’ is meant a piece of 
land bearing a crop produced direct from seed obtained by selection, of the heads or 
ears from plants appearing large and vigorous for the variety on a hand selected seed 
plot of the first year. 
