SEED-GROWING. 



293 



of the most complicated varieties, the result of cross fertilisa- 

 tion. But from experiments and observations made with several 

 varieties of cabbage he w r as of opinion that Brassica oleracea 

 (cabbage) will not interfertilise with Brassica campestris, the 

 origin of the Swede turnip, or with Brassica Navus, the origin 

 of the common turnip in all its varieties. At the same time 

 it must not be forgotten that in cabbages there is a tendency to 

 revert back to the typical nature of the plant, unless great care 

 and selection are exercised, as it is not by mere chance that the 

 excellent cabbages we see are produced, but by the grower's 

 practical experience. 



The blooming season is a most important one to the seed- 

 grower, and claims his attention before the bees can do any 

 injury. The florist has means within his reach to prevent 

 hybridising by bees if he wishes. With the open fields the seed- 

 grower is at a great disadvantage ; therefore he must be fully 

 observant upon his growing crops. To the bees we owe a very 

 great deal, as florists will admit, as we so often see them from the 

 blooming of the aconite and crocus and all through the summer 

 laden with yellow pollen, dusty as a miller, and most interesting 

 if caught and placed under the microscope, to behold their varied 

 store, gathered from many flowers, easily to be distinguished, 

 with which they might convey serious unintended injury. There- 

 fore the watchful eye of the practical seed-grower must be most 

 vigilant all through his district during the blooming of various 

 plants, to get all harmful kinds removed, which at times is a 

 most costly undertaking ; otherwise most serious injury might 

 be done to his crops, destroying that which has cost him much 

 labour. 



The district in which he resides is famous for its great seed- 

 growing industry in every branch ; it is there in the months of 

 May and June, among other things, many hundreds of acres of 

 mustard can be seen in bloom, extending as far as the eye can 

 reach. During the last few years the mustard crops have suffered 

 very much by an attack of a beetle {PhcBclon betulce), which does 

 not confine itself to this crop alone. He had seen large fields 

 wholly destroyed by these pests, clearing the whole of the plants 

 as they pass from one side of a field to the other, being one black 

 mass of devouring insects. 



