The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1906-11-29

average of the crop to that of the best
individual plants. In the case of those
crops which are partly or wholly natur-
ally self-fertilized, this object can be
more easily attained than with those
crops which are naturally cross-fer-
tilted. In the latter case, the proven
ton of too close inbreeding is of spe-
cial Importance, and the degree OF in
breeding that can safely be praeticed
without injuriously affecting the fer
tility or vigor of growth of the plants,
and methods of controlling the parent
age of the offspring, are matters which
must be carefully and Systematically
investigated for each crop.
There are at least three degrees of
relationship between parents found in
cultivated plants: Q Complete self
fertilization; (2) combined self and
cross fertilization; and 60 complete
Decentralization. Standardization is
the fertilization of the ovule of
flower by its own pollen, or by the
pollen of different flower on the
same plant Less complete forms OF
inbreeding may be grouped under two
classes: (a) The crossing of flowers
on different plants of the same stock
grown under the same conditions, as
the crossing of the flowers of two corn
plants raised from kernels borne by
the same parent ear or related parent
ears; (b) the crossing of flowers on
different plants of the same stock
grown under different conditions.
Among the groups of plants that are
normally self-fertilized we find mans
OF the most important Iarm crops, as
barley, wheat, and oats. In wheat and
oats a few doubtful natural hybrids
have been discovered and described,
but it is the opinion Of the authorities
OH these crops that cross-fertilization
rarely takes place under natural con-
ditions. The anthcrs usually burst
open in oat flowers before the glumes
open, at which time the pollen is thor
oughly distributed over the receptive
stigma, and it is probable that fecun-
dation takes place several hours after
the flowers open. In the case of
wheat, self-pollination takes place and
Standardization probably occurs
shortly before the flowers open.
The second kind of fertilization in
cludes those plants which are highly
self-fertile, but are cross-fertilized to a
greater or less extent by insect aid
or other means. This group of plants
may be divided into two classes, as (a)
those which are almost wholly self
fortified and only occasionally cross
fertilized. and (b) those which are
usually cross-fertilizsd, but are also
adapted for Standardization.
The third kind of fertilization natur-
ally occurring among cultivated
plants is cross-fert!lization, Or the
union of the sexual elements belong
ing to two distinct flowers borne by
separate plants. Characterization is
wind, water, insects, or birds, and the
various devices to secure cross-fertih-
cation exhibited by different plants are
most wonderful and interesting, and
| furnish an almost ineXhaustible field
| for study and observation. Corn, or
maize, is a good illustration of this
class of plants. Here the plant pro-
duces enormous Quantities of pollen,
which is very light and easily carried
long distances by the wind. Frequent
cases have been observed by the
writer where the pollen of corn plants
has been carried a half mile where
there were no distractions, but in the
cornfield the pollen Is usually carried
only short distance, owing to ne
plants catching the pollen grainst as
they DRIFT about. The anthers borne
by the tasss3s of the corn plants YiDeH
and discharge their pollen In enoWoua
quantities when tie blants ava esa,