The Portland daily press., 1876-08-07
THE PRESS.
POETRY.
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Saving Seed.

At the very time that the farmer is the
most intently and vigorously engaged in Sc.
curing his midsummer harvests, he may
give controlling direction to the results of
the next years harvest,b by judcious ingath-
ering of seed as the successive crops ripen,
The frequent failure of commercial seeds, as
well as the uncertain supply, makes it neces-
sary for farmers, to some extent at least, to
depend upon their own resources. The
question of crop or no crop, good one or
poor one, is frequently decided by the amount
of attention given to the selection of seed the
preceding year. Early planting, rich dress
ing and thorough cultivation may give a
heavy growth to crop and yet all prove of
no avail, if by an unfortunate use of late
seed it fails to come to maturity. In such
transactions, no amount of activity will ena-
BILE man to overtake lost opportunity.
While some persons are not chargeabe with
the sin of entire omission in this respect,
they are nevertheless culpable, in that they
uniformly postpone the work until the end Of
the season. Better omit the undertaking en-.
tirely and trust to the uncertainties of the
market, than to do it at the wrong time and
the wrong way. He who awaits the
threatenings of the frost, and then hurriedy
CLEANS the remnants of halfgathered crop,
is at war with himself and defeats his best in
tentions and efforts. It is not only necessary
that seed should be well matured, but in our
northern climate it is quite as essen
tial that the earliest specimens should be
selected. Those who year after year pursue
the policy of taking what is lel6 for seed
supply are unconscously adopting the meth
DDS of the Chinese, when they undertake to
dwarf the trees of the forest down to the
capacity of fower.pot. Similar results in
connection with some staple products are
only prevented on many farms and in many
neighborhoods by an occasional, perhaps ac-
cidental, infusion of vitality from outside
sources.
While 1t Is so easy to 60 downward, and to
depreciate and destroy some of the choicest
gifts of nature, it has, on the other hand,
been repeatedly proved that halfhardy
growths may be made strong, and uncertain
ones sure, by careful Selection of the first
seed that ripens for series of years, thus
fixing in a permanent type the accidents o.
successive seasons. Much of the actual prog
ress made in agriculture and horticulture
and OF the real valne of their new acquisi
tions, has come from the patient labors Of
the earnest enthusiasts who have shaped
and controlled the primary elements of seed
production. In this wide field which opens
almost infinitely before the explorer, there is
room not merely for the highest exercise Of
scientific attainment, but for man to prove
himself benefactor of the human race, al
well as by identifying himself with some o.
the benevolent and philanthropic movemen-s
of the day.
As we write, our eye falls upon the follow
ing paragraph in western journal, which
may serve as warning, and also confirm
the positions we have taken. "We took oc
casion early in the spring to warn farmers
against the use of any but perfectly SOUND
grain for seed, but we fear that the warning
was not always needed, and believe the ruin.
GUS effects of the drouth are largely due te
the fact that the young grain lacks in vitality
because grown from unhealthy seed. If this
is true, our farmers will have learned a usefu
but expensive lesson"