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Owners of gardens will find that the saving of seed
from this year's gardens will be of great help for next year's planting.
While it is more satisfactory, ordinarily, to purchase seed from reliable
dealers the increased planting of home gardens, the poor crop of seed, the
decrease of foreign importation, the exporting of certain seed to Europe and
the use of certain kinds for food have caused a shortage and, as an
emergency measure, each gardener should save as much seed as possible.
 Fig.
10––In selecting corn to be saved for seed, choose the most perfect ears.
Saving of seed is easily done, though it requires care
and attention. In saving seed select them from plants of a single variety
grown by itself if possible, rather than from plants where more than one
variety have been planted. Where there are two or more varieties of the same
vegetable growing side by side, cross fertilization takes place and standard
seed cannot be obtained. It is well to learn all the features which make up
the most desirable type of variety of vegetable from which seed is to be
saved. Seed saved where it is grown has two advantages. For one thing more
careful selection can be given than is possible for all seed placed on the
market. Another advantage is that plants from this seed will succeed best
under local conditions.
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Select seed plants which are free from disease, which show a vigorous
growth, a good yield and quality, and mature early. Mark selected plants
with string. Plants selected for seed should be given especially careful
cultivation and every effort should be made to promote their full
development. When seed is ripe harvest with care.
properly stored, with the exception of parsnip
and onion, should retain vitality from 2 to 5 years. Thus enough seed may be
saved from a good crop to tide over the poor years.
Fig. 11––A good way
of hanging seed corn to dry. |
