The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-03-08

nishes the pollen and the silk OF The
ears in the female organ. This silk is
hollow, and the pollen, falling by ma
ture upon it or placed there in cross
ing experiments, enters the tilk tubes
at the exposed end and proceeds
through to the cob, where fecuuda.
ton produces the grain. Whep
crossing experiments are being con
Quoted the tassel is cut from the stalk
where the new corn is desired and
the pollen from the selected stalk is
scattered upon the silk. II is Gus
tomary, however, to protect the ear,
for otherwise pollen may be brought
by the wind from adjoining rows OF
corn or even from distance aud in.
terfere with the plan. We have just
begun the corn experiments, and hope
by breeding more varieties, among
other things, to extend the northern
corn belt by producing harder varie-
ties.
"With wheat we hnvo worked
longer, but in much tho same way,
our object being not only to increase
the variety, but to produce a hardy
species that will resist diseases and
certain climatic conditions. We have
worked to accomplish certain objects.
For instance, foreigners are begin.
ming to realize that our wheat ia valu
able for macaroni, and our own milers
and bakers have discovered that
wheat grown in certain sections is
valuable for crackers. 1t is possible
by studying the peculiarities OF diff.
ferent wheat to determine that which
is best suited for different purposes,
and so wo are proceeding by cross,
breeding to improve them.
"The possibilities of plant breed.
ing" continued Professor Galloway,
"seem limitless. The extent to
which improvements can be carried is
boundless. Heretofore, as / have
stated, most Of the work has been
conducted by individuals without any
purpose of establishing principles.
When plant breeding is better under
stood it will be possible to bring deli
mite forms OF vegetable life togoth-l
and produce any result desired. A
strange but truth full story is related
by Professor J. fl. Bailey, of Cornell,
OF n seed man in New York advertis-
ing in his prospectus that he would
furnish his customers during the next
season a bran new bean with a pecu.
liar kind of pod. This nurseryman
had in his own mind decided what he
wanted. 1t had never been produced
before. He called to his assistant, an
expert in plant breeding, and, by draw
ing, explained the kind of bean he
desired. 1t was like a man calling a
contractor, displaying his plans aud
specifications and instructing him to
proceed and erect house. Yes, the
nurseryman had his bean, just what
he wanted, and furnished his custom.
ers as he promised.
''If some Of us plant breeders had
lived one hundred years ago we would
have been burned at the stake. There
is man in California who makes it q
business to produce new forms oil
plants and fruits. He decides what
he wants, breeds to produce the re-
suits desired, and when he obtains
something possessing qualities that
will recommend it he disposes of q
seeding to some nurserymau and
then resumes his work for new results
The nurseryman having the Seeding
possesses a monopoly of that particu
lar variety and is permitted by the
California experimenter to dispose O.
it as ho pleases.