III.] THE AMERICAN GARDENER, 



76 



147. Suffice it, now, that we know, that sorts will 

 mix, when seed-plants of the same tribe stand near 

 each other; and we may easily suppose, that this 

 may probably take place though the plants stand at 

 a considerable distance apart, since I have, in the 

 case of my Indian Corn, given proof of mixture^ 

 when the plants were three hundred yards from 

 each other. What must be the consequence, then, 

 of saving seed from cucumbers, melons, pumpkins^ 

 squashes, and gourds, all growing in the same gar- 

 den at the same time ? To save the seed oitwo sorts 

 of any tribe, in the same garden, in the same year^ 

 ought not to be attempted ; and this it is, that makes 

 it difficult for any one m an to raise all sorts of seeds 

 good and true. 



148. However, some may be saved by every one 

 who has a garden ; and, when raised, they ought 

 to be carefully preserved. They are best preserved 

 in the pod, or on the stalks. Seeds of many sorts 

 will be perfectly good to the age of eight or ten 

 years, if kept in the pod or on the stalks, which 

 seeds, if threshed, will be good for little at the end 

 of three years or less. However, to keep seeds, 

 without threshing them out, is seldom convenient, 

 often impracticable, and always exposes them to 

 injury from mice and rats, and from various other 

 enemies, of which, however, the greatest is careZe^sr 

 ness. Therefore, the best way is, except for things 

 that are very curious, and that lie in a small com- 

 pass, to thresh out all seeds. 



149. They should stand till perfectly ripe, if 

 possible. They should be cut, or pulled, or 

 gathered, when it is dry ; and, they should, if 

 possible, be dry as dry can be, before they are 

 threshed out. If, when threshed, any moisture 

 remain about them, they should be placed in the 



