Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

CHAPTER XIX
FARMERS' METHODS OF PRODUCING PURE SEEDS
The production of new varieties of farm crops is a specialized
line of work and should be undertaken as a rule only by men
who have had special training in crop breeding. The expense
and time necessary for this kind of experimental work are too
great for the individual farmer. The aim of the farmer or seed
grower should be to maintain the improved form and not to allow
contamination through crossing with inferior stock, admixture,
plant diseases, etc. A method of producing seed which will
stand this test and at the same time meet with the approval of
the farmer must be simple, effective, and inexpensive. A nation
or state cannot afford to maintain an experimental laboratory
only to have the products of that laboratory deteriorate because
of subsequent treatment. The maintenance of pure, improved
varieties as well as their discovery by selection or synthesis by
crossing is an essential factor in economic food production. Before
taking up in detail methods of producing pedigreed seed by
farmers, a few observations regarding seeds in general will be
made.
DETERMINATION OF BETTER VARIETIES
Certain general facts regarding varieties should be understood.
The breeder and grower must recognize that no one variety is best
adapted to a particular locality or for all seasons. In some seasons
an early oat gives the best yield. Owing to slight seasonal
variations, a later variety may excel in yield. Thus, a single
season's test is not reliable as a means of determining the better
sort to grow. For this reason carefully conducted tests are
carried on each crop season. By means of these the experiment
stations are in a position to determine and advise as to the
better varieties. The final decision as to which variety to grow
must of course be made by the farmers and based on their actual
field experiences.
281