Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

180 BREEDING CROP PLANTS
the setting of viable seed is shown by the work of Connor, Ball,
Ten Eyck, Townsend, and Leidigh, all of whom secured viable
seed from panicles so protected. Leidigh (1911) credits Connor
with the statement that, "a particular strain of Orange sorghum
which he grew two generations from seed, bagged each year,
possessed extraordinary vitality and vigor and was remarkably
pure and uniform." Townsend (1909) obtained similar results.
From the foregoing facts it is evident that sorghums should be
bred as a self-fertilized crop. Bagging the panicles is a necessary
precaution where different lines are grown near one another.
By means of roguing chance mixtures and crosses are eliminated
and varieties are kept in a pure condition. The isolated seed
plot also is recommended as a correct farming practice.