Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1869 — Improvement in Grain. [ARTICLE]

Improvement in Grain.

Experiments have demonstrated, and analogy has shown, that the finest and btst samples of seed, continued for years, will improve the quality and quantity of the product. A better wheat is thus raised ; even a variety may be established. On this principle, in farm stock, we have the short-horn, the blooded horses, and the different breeds of sheep, swine, poultry, _ &c. ~ We plant and sow “as it comes.” We take the seed of the same grain that we use in the aggregate, and sow it. Is not this the case almost always ? Corn is an exception to some extent—but why do we except corn? Because it is handy to select. But why -select at all ? Because it is understoood to be good. Analogically, then, it is good to do the same with wheat, oats, barley, &c. But this is less easily done; we therefore neglect it. How long will it take a farmer to go through his wheat and secure the finest and ripest heads sufficient to sow an acre, or half an acre, or a quarter—or even a pint of seed ? This pint sowed will be sufficient to form a test crop. The best heads taken from this again, and sowed, willl yield another test crop, from which should be taken as before; and so on lor a number of years, say half a dozen—more still better. But three or four years will work a decided difference. But the thing should be continued from selected wheat every time. way grain can be improved and crops enlarged. There will be larger grains, earlier maturity and better growth. —Rural World.