American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-04-16
Selection OF Seeds.

There is nothing of greater impor-
lance to the farmer than the selection
of seeds. Not even the tillage of the
soil and the preparation of the seed-bed
require greater care and the exercise of
more skilled Judgment than the selec-
ton of pure seed and of the variety best
adapted to the soil and climate. The
farmers profit in tillage or in mixed
husbandry depends principally on the
productiveness of his crop. A perfect
seed is an individual member of a GER
tain species, inheritin9 all the good
qualities belonging to the species. and
capable of transmitting those qualities
in equal perfection to othergeneratiens.
The influence of cultivation. soil and
climate often changes the nature of
seeds so as to impress upon them char
acters different from the species to
which they belong, and in this way
varieties are produced. The valuable
properties thus acquired by cultivation.
climates and other causes, are, for ex-
ample, increased hardness and symme-
try of appearance, in the case of roots,
and weight of kernel and stiffness of
straw in the case of grain. 1t is well
for the farmer in his selection of seed
to acquaint himself of the peculiarities
of certain varieties, and adapt them to
his special circumstances. For seed
grain for an exposed situation, select a
variety that ripens early and is by nature
hardy. For rich soil. on which The crop
would be apt to lodge and the grain be
consequently light. let such be selected
as will produce short, stiff straw-al
ways selecting that which is most suit
able to the circumstances.
For the production of a healthy, Wig
81 ell, Hory in,
itself q sufficient store of nut1iment to
til its roots and leaves are fully devel-
oped. This needed nutrition cannot he
supplied unless the several parts OF the
seed be fully developed and its vital
powers be unimpaired. 1t has been
shown by experiments, carefully con-
Quoted for the. purpose of testing the
vitality of seed of different ages. that at
least half the vital powers of our cult
waited seeds are lost after the first year.
To this general rule there are few ex-
captions. but, as 1ule. it is Well to Sc
lect fresh seed -,,. tsf
Not only should seed be SO fresh as
to possess all its vitality, it should also
be fully developed. A puny seed can
not put forth or nourish a healthy, Wig
orous plant. See in selecting seed that
it has been fully matured. OF this an
accurate judgment can generally be
formed from its plumpness and color.
Seed should. as much as possible, be
selected that is of uniform size and col
or. In selecting a sample of grain, this
rule is a good one; but it does not hold
good in regard to small seeds, such as
clover. And in many instances you
must, after the most careful selection,
relv greatly on the known character of
the seed merchant.
The purity of seed is another matter
of great Importance. Farmers have lit
/ tie idea of the extent to which seeds of
weeds are sown by them with their
crops. Respectable seedmen take great
care to have the seed they sell as free
from the seeds of weeds as in their
power; but the farmer selecting for
himself must also use every precau:ion.
Some deleterious weeds, that are thought
by superficial observers to be indigo
nous to the soil. have been introduced
with imported seeds.-Fdrnaers' At!Uo-
cUIe