A Change of Seed. 
BY W. D. BOYNTON. 
It is not a good plan to sow home grown 
seed upon the farm year after year. It is 
something like breeding in and in with 
stock. A flock of sheep, for instance, will 
deteriorate where the same ram is used 
several years in succession. The lambs 
will become weak and puny, and the wool 
will gradually change to coarse hair on 
some of the bodies of the degenerating 
flock. The valuable results of years of 
careful breeding are thus destroyed. 
The valuable qualities of vegetable prod¬ 
ucts have been obtained by pretty much 
the same process, and it is only by judicious 
management that we can enhance, or even 
maintain them. A particular variety of 
grain long sown upon the same land, will 
certainly deteriorate in qualit}' and quanti¬ 
ty of yield. If the variety be a desirable 
one, it is not necessary to discard it entire¬ 
ly when it begins to show signs of “run¬ 
ning out.” In many instances in my own 
experience, a change of seed of the same 
variety, from a soil of different texture, has 
worked wonders. By changing in this way 
with farmers in neighboring localities, a 
favorite variety may be retained success¬ 
fully for a long period. I suppose the ex¬ 
planation of this would be that most soils 
lack in some ingredients of plant food need¬ 
ed for the perfect development of a product. 
According to this explanation, we would 
naturally suppose that where a change was 
made, it should be between soils very differ¬ 
ent in character. For instance, if the 
farmer who wishes to change his seed lives 
on a clay soil, he should change with one 
living on a sandy loam soil; and if he lives 
upon a sandy loam, he should endeavor to 
change with one whose land contains con¬ 
siderable clay. 
In growing potatoes I have noticed very 
particularly the effect of growing from 
home grown seed for any length. The po¬ 
tatoes will soon become small, scabby and 
warty, especially upon a soil containing 
clay in any considerable quantity. A sandy 
soil is the natural home of the potato, yet 
it will run out even then, if the seed is not 
changed every three or four years. 
It is nearly the same with corn, and in 
fact with all vegetable products in garden 
and field. My weed crop always seems to 
hold its own; but that is the only excep¬ 
tion that I can think of now, to the general 
rule. 
Speaking of weeds reminds me that I in¬ 
tended to say that the farmer who “swaps” 
seed, should never give or take a quantity 
of weed seeds “to boot.” Trade only with 
neat clean farmers, and then you will be 
sure of getting just what you bargain for. 
The earlier in the season these changes 
are made, the better will be the chance for 
selection. It don’t pay to wait until the 
last minute, and catch what you can get. 
A little fore-handiness here, will often pay 
many fold. 
Spring’s work may be greatly forwarded 
by being thoroughly prepared in this res¬ 
pect. If any seeds are to be bought, let 
them be bought early, and got safe home 
before other work presses. 
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