June 1907.] 



357 



EDIBLE PRODUCTS. 



HOW TO SAVE THE BEST TOBACCO SEED. 

 Where it has been proved that a certain type of tobacco thrives best, and 

 gives the best return to the grower, every effort possible should be made to still 

 further improve that type, or, at least, to preserve its best qualities. This can be 

 done most effectually by the selection, for seed purposes, of those plants in the field 

 showing the truest relation to the type desired, and by securing the strongest and 

 best possible seed from each individual plant. In order to do this, it is necessary to 

 study the different qualifications of each type. Having fixed a standard, the grower 

 must keep to it for several years, otherwise his results will not be satisfactory ; that 

 is to say, if the same standard is not adhered to in the main, uniformity cannot be 

 secured in the crop, and this is one of the most important features in the production 

 of tobacco leaf. 



The following points should be well considered before finally deciding which 

 plants should be retained for seed :— 

 Purity of type and seed ; 



The size, shape, and number of leaves on the plant ; 



Uniformity in type, shape, and ripening ; 



Size of mid-ribs and veins, and their position in the leaf ; 



Early ripening and curing properties ; 



Easy working in regard to suckering, &c. ; 



Suitability to soil and climate ; 



Healthy, vigorous seed. 



The best method to follow in order to get the purest seed is to grow the seed 

 plants some distance away from the main crop, say, a mile, if possible, and to confine 

 each plot to only one variety. In this way the danger of cross fertilization is 

 avoided. This system, however, can only be carried out on large holdings. Where 

 it is necessary to save seed from plants close to other tobaccos in the field, special 

 precautions must be taken. 



The tobacco plant is self-fertile, and the seed saved from plants self -fertilized 

 has been found more vigorous than from those cross fertilized with the same variety. 

 The means to be taken to prevent hybridization are simple. Just before the flower 

 shows the central cluster of buds it should be enclosed with a muslin bag, which is 

 tied round the stem sufficiently tight to prevent insects crawling through, but not 

 so tight as to pinch the stalk. In some cases paper bags are used, but muslin, or some 

 other light cloth covering, is best. All the lower branches on which seed pods form, 

 together with all suckers and the top leaves, should be taken off, and only the main 

 central cluster of buds left on. By so doing, the strength of the plant will not be 

 overtaxed. The smaller quantity of seed produced will be heavier and better, and a 

 larger proportion will germinate. The bag should be removed from time to time on 

 a still day, and suckers taken off, also any pods that are attacked by grubs, and all 

 the small, immature pods. Insects and wind will both be found causes of cross ferti- 

 lization, and due caution should be taken to prevent their doing damage while the 

 flowers are exposed. When the bag is replaced, it should be tied slightly higher up 

 the stem to allow for the development of the pods. The bag is left on until after 

 the plant is cut and the seed dried out. 



About ten of the lower leaves, should be left on the plaut ( and these are 

 removed as they ripen. When the seed pods are fully matured, the stalk should be 

 cut low down, leaving the bag still on, and taken to the shed, where it should be 

 hung well above the floor in a place where the air circulates freely, until sufficiently 



