Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-07-24
Se1ectinp Seed Wheat.

Selecting Seed Wheat.
This very good suggestion comes
from the Kansas Experiment Station,
and wheat growers should bear it in
mind. 1t is also applicable to other
grain crops, as barley and oats. 1t Is
common among corn raisers to main
tain or improve given variety by Sc
lection of the seed. Ears showing de-
sirable characters are set aside, and
furnish seed for the succeeding crop.
Though not SO convenient, this method
can be applied with equal success to
the selection of seed wheat. The Ex-
pertinent Station of the Kansas State
Agricultural College is endeavoring to
breed up improved varieties Of wheat.
There Is no reason why the simple
method of selection should not be ap-
piled by the individual wheat raiser.
We would advise the following pro-
cedure: Before harvesting, the grower
should go into the wheat field and Sc
lect number of the most desirable
heads The basis of selection depends
upon the wishes Of the individual, but
is carried on as in the case of corn.
Usually it will be upon the basis of
yield and quality. In this case the
heads selected should be large, well
formed. and with plump, uniform
grains. The grain derived from these
heads should be grown upon a plot of
ground under the most favorable con-
ditions. The grain gathered from this
plot furnishes the seed for the third
year. But, before harvesting, a selec-
ton of suitable heads should be made
from this for the next seed plot. In
this way the seed Is each year i'm
proved or at least maintained at its
present standard. The size of the seed
plot depends upon the total area of
wheat to be grown. Furthermore the
seed plot may be given much more
careful treatment than is applicable to
the field. 1t Is best to have the seed
plot within the main field SO as to be
entirely surrounded by wheat. This
lessons the loss from grasshoppers and
other insects, and gives the plants bet
ter protection.
Notes About Geese.
A quiet, docile goose does better than
shy one.
Geese are generally allowed to sit on
a part of the second or third litters laid
The eggs should be gathered as soon
after they are laid as possible to avoid
their being chilled.
A goose is usually given II eggs for
sitting, although very large one
might cover 13.
The fertile eggs usually hatch at the
end of % or 80 days, but a longer time
is occasionally required.
When each goose has her own nest,
she can easily be set at the end Of the
second or third litter. as desired.
The eggs should be kept In a moder-
ately warm place, not too dry, and
should be turned over every day until
set
Children should never be allowed to
approach geese during incubation, as
they are capable of infiicting serious in
jury.
Eggs can be successfully hatched in
incubators, but most of the breeders
set the eggs under hens or geese.
The ganders should be left with the
geese during incubation. They will re-
main near the nest Of their favorite
and courageously defend her from any
intrusion. ~
1t is well to place food and water
near the nest Of the sitting goose at
Matching time, so that she will be less
likely to leave the nest before all the
goslings are hatched.