ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SEEDS. 



385 



ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SEEDS. 

 By F. J. Bakek, A.R.C.Sc, F.R.H.S. 



When we examine a sample of seed we can easily determine whether it 

 has been well matured and well harvested ; we can, with but little trouble, 

 determine its percentage of germination ; in many instances we can decide, 

 with probable accuracy, the strain as well the variety which we are 

 viewing. But beyond these matters there are hidden influences in the 

 seed which we cannot determine by the closest inspection. The inherent 

 properties of the protoplasm, for the time being dormant, endow the seed 

 with powers of which we may little think. To-day we rightly value 

 pedigree influence. We know that by cross-fertilisation, and hybridisation, 

 followed by rigid selection, Ave have succeeded in obtaining very many 

 desirable plants. 



Few persons now will dispute the great advantages of heavy well- 

 matured seeds, as compared with badly-developed ones, and generally it is 

 admitted that a change of seed gives increased vigour, and consequent 

 partial freedom from disease. 



These matters are of paramount importance, but in addition to them 

 there are minor details which, collectively, make considerable difference to 

 the productivity of our plants. One or two of these minor points were 

 forcibly brought before my notice by an experience with Potatos and Peas. 

 Fresh from examination triumphs in agricultural science, I thought to 

 surprise my neighbours with enormous crops. I arranged to grow Potatos 

 largely. A dozen or so varieties were grown. Several of these, especially 

 the newer ones, were very successful, although grown on very poor land, 

 but 1 Beauties,' and particularly * Snowdrops,' were terrible failures. 



Nineteen hundredweight of ' Snowdrops ' were planted, cultivated, and 

 manured, according to the most approved theoretical formula. The seed 

 had been obtained from first-rate growers and from good land. The entire 

 crop of ' Snowdrops ' was 13 cwt. After such a failure, the growth of 

 these varieties was of course discontinued, but the stock was sent to 

 various remote districts. The result was surprising. One grower wrote 

 the lollowing season to say that the 1 cwt. of ' Snowdrops ' had yielded 

 an extraordinary crop of fine tubers, with which he had obtained six first 

 and two second prizes at various shows ! 



In the same season that the Potatos were grown, I grew, under 

 contract, between six and seven acres of ' William Hurst ' Peas, for seed ; 

 24 bushels were sown. The ground, which was a very poor chalky bank, 

 was manured solely with mineral manures. One of the worst crops I 

 have seen harvested was the result, but the few bushels obtained were 

 very fine seed. Two or three quarts of these were left behind and sown in 

 my own garden for private use. Planted in really good soil, a very fine 

 yield resulted. In this case the district was the same ; probably the results 



