588 



Grass and Clover Seed Growing. 



[Sept., 



which have become " acclimatised " to a given district by con- 

 tinued growth over a large number of years in that district, are 

 much more valuable for use in that locality than " imported " 

 seed (even though brought from another part of the same 

 country). This theory calls for consideration by seed growers 

 and seed users, for even though it may not yet have met with 

 general acceptance, there is considerable practical evidence 

 supporting it, in more than one part of the country. 



This matter also leads naturally to a consideration of the 

 further question regarding the special value of indigenous strains 

 which at the very least are certainly guaranteed to be thoroughly 

 acclimatised in their own districts. It is strongly urged by some 

 authorities, and it is the firm belief of the writer, that most 

 valuable strains, both of grasses and legumes for use in Britain, 

 could be raised by the collection and selection of wild British 

 plants, and it has been definitely shown by practical trials in 

 more than one case that this is so. Here, therefore, is another 

 question which must be borne in mind in discussing the possibili- 

 ties of British seed production. 



The belief in the value of acclimatisation (though it may not 

 have been recognised as such) has led in most of the heavy 

 clover producing areas to the establishment of privately owned 

 strains of clovers, which in many cases have been grown annually 

 on the same farms for a great number of years, and which locally 

 enjoy high reputations. Very few instances can be found where 

 a definite practice of selection has been made in the establish- 

 ment of these strains, although in some cases a very useful 

 automatic selection has taken place, as for instance, in the case 

 of certain sainfoins discussed below. The great danger con- 

 nected with the continued growing of the same stock on the same 

 farm lies in the risk of it becoming increasingly dirty. This 

 need not happen, of course, if the grower is in a position to instal 

 efficient cleaning machinery for his own use. Where such an 

 installation is not available, each season s produce should he 

 sent to a merchant to be thoroughly cleaned before re-sowing. 

 The practice of selling the head seed each year and sowing tails 

 to perpetuate the stock is to be most strongly condemned. 



Details of cultural practice in the various parts of the country 

 where Bed Clovers are grown for seed wall be given in the 

 Beport of the survey referred to above (footnote, p. 536). 



The average crop of Bed Clover seed in Great Britain is 

 about four bushels (about 260 lb.) per acre. 



