The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-11-11
improvement of Plants.


The constant advice given 10 farmers
garding the importance Of improving their
stock, though having the effect of inducing
them to realize greater profits, should not at
tract their attention from the matter Of the
Improvement of the plants grown as general
crops. Few farmers realize the fact that
wheat is very easily improved by selection,
two seasons being ample time in which TO
affect a marked change in the quality and
yield, while but a few seasons are necessary
for accomplishing the same with corn and
oats. Unless the seedsmen introduce new
varieties we are not usually favored with
those Of superior character, owing TO the
neglect Of the farmers in selecting seed. The
celebrated Fultz wheat, now so well known
was the result Of farmer going into his
wheat field and selecting the best seed, sing
ling out particular heads and stalks at the
same time. Thus an improvement was made
in his wheat every year; and Professor
BlOunt claims that any farmer can, by Sc
lecting in the same manner, add ten bushels
more per acre to the yield in comparison
with what the crop would be without such
care and selection.
Great improvement has also been made in
ceTr and oats in the same manner, and even
rye has been increased in yield by following
the practice for several consecutive seasons.
The farmers can do more for themselves than
can be done for them by others, for the rea-
son that by careful selection they can I'M
prove crop and adapt it to their own Sec
ton. The originators of new varieties can
not produce a kind that will prove valua-
bic acquisition everywhere. Climatic infiu-
ences and diversity of soils are hinder
ances, and hence the reason why varieties
that have been highly recommended in some
quarters have been failures in others. But
each farmer can do the same work as the
scotsman who constantly experiments. By
attempting the improvement of those plants
which he has found by experience to be the
best adapted to his soil and climate he be-
gins with one-half the difficulties removed,
and the path is clear OF all obstacles except
the labor of selection, the result of which,
however is to increase the yield and i'm
prove the quality of the plants experimental
upon.
In the case of potatoes strawberries and
other plants that are improved by crossing,
Orby accidental production, the chances for
success are not encouraging and experience
is required. But with those crops that can
be improved by simply selecting the best the
task is easy, and if every farmer would de-
termlne to use only selected grains the result
would be alarge addition to the productions
of all farms. Selection will not only cause
the grains to be plump, the heads large, and
the stalk firm and strong, but hardness and
ability to Withstand droughts will be in
creased. There is much in the variety that
suits the farm, as amount of cultivation
can compensate for mistakes made in grow
ing crops unadapted to the climate and soil,
while reverse condition saves labor and pro-
tects against loss. Careful selection will i'm
prove the crops as we'll as the stock, and the
process is easy, cheap and economical, while
much anxiety that arises from using seed of
which the farmer knows nothing may be
averted. After selecting the seed it should
be carefully preserved during the winter, so
that it may terminate upon the most favora-
bic opportunity and secure an early start.