The clarion., 1885-11-18
Improvement of Grains.


The constant advice given farmers re-
garding the Importance of improving their
took, though having the effect of inducing
them to realizs greater profits, should not
attract 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 selec-
ton, two seasons being ample time in which
to effect marked change in the quality and
Yield, whils but a few seasons are necessary
for accomplis hing the same with corn and
oats Unless the seedsme 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 bis wheat field and selecting the best
seei, singing out particular heads and
stalks at the same time. Thus an improve
ment was made in his wheat every year,
and Profess or Blount claims that any farmer
can, by selecting 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 corn and cats in the same manner and
even rye has been increased in yield by fol-
lowing the practice for several consecutive
seasons The farmers can do more for
themselves than can be done for them by
others. for the reason. that by careful se-
iecsion they cln improve a crop and adapt
ii to their own section. The originators of
new varieties cannot produce kind that
viii prove a valuable acquisition every.
where. Climatic influences and diversity
OF soils are hinderances, and hence the rea-
son 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 con-
stantly experiments By attempting the
improvement of those plants which he has
found by experience to be the best adapted
70 bis soil and climate he begins with one
half the difficulties removed, ami the path
Is clear OF all obstacles except the labor of
selection, the result of which. however. Is
TO increase the yield and improve the
quality of the plants experimental upon
in the case OF potatoes, straw berries and
other plants that are improved by crossing
or by accidental pr oduction. the chances
Tor success are not encouraging, and ex-
perience is required. But with those crops
that can be improved by simply selecting
the best the task is easy, and If every
farmer would determine to uss only selected
grains the result would be large addition
to the production of all farms Selection
VIII not only cause the grains to be plump,
the heads large and the stalk firm and
strong. but hardness and ability to with
stand droughts viii be increased. There il
much m the variety that suits the farm as
no amount OF cultivation can compensate
ior mistakes made in growing crops un-
anhpeed TO the climate and soil, while q
reverse condition saves labor and protects
against loss Careful selection will inn
prove the crops as wen as the stock, and
tne process Is easy, cheap and econ nomicai.
while much anxiety that arises from using
seed OF which the farmer knows nothing
may 90 averted- And after selecting tn
seed il should be carefully preserved during
the winter 50 that Il may germinate upon
the most favorable opportunity and secure
an early start