Who among seedsmen does not profess to offer the seeds of swedes and turnips from _selected bulbs_? And though it is quite true that the practice is not so universal as is the profession of it, yet the general assumption of its being so on the part of seed growers and sellers is an admission that it would be for the advantage of the buyer of seeds were the roots from which seeds are to be grown carefully selected. And on the other hand, let the observant agriculturist take a journey on any of our great lines of railway (in early summer), and he will be struck with the many patches of bright yellow flowers which he will not fail to notice on either hand. In nine cases out of ten, these are fields or portions of fields of turnips, either the Swedish or common kinds, which, from the abundance of keep, it has been thought would be more profitable to seed than to eat off, especially as they have so rapidly grown out of the way. Are these patches of selected bulbs? We happen to know, from a more than ordinarily careful examination, that not one _per cent._ of seeding-patches are from selected roots; but they are seeded just as they grew, and we do not know of a single instance where in such seeding the objectionable roots have been removed; but we do know of plenty of cases where the worst part of a field has been saved for seed, doubtless as the most profitable way of dealing with it under the circumstances wrought out by the spring of 1862. Of course, this will all come into the market, and too much of it, under a stereotyped declaration of ‘_from selected bulbs_.’ That all the seed grown in 1862 will be sown in 1863 is simply impossible; but no matter, it will find a market somehow, some time. With such facts as these before us, who can wonder that any plant should become degenerate? Let some of the seed of this year be watched, and we will answer for its evil results; and if these be facts, it then behoves the farmer to look well to pedigree in the matter of his seed. But even here, his forethought must not end; for however select the parent may be, there is still something in ‘bringing up;’ for, however good the _sort_ of turnip, we shall not grow its seed in perfection by selection merely, but we should _transplant_ well-chosen roots, and so put them in a new scene, away from subjects which might contaminate them. This is indeed to bring them up in a _good school_, for which their seed will amply repay the trouble and expense. CHAPTER IV. ON DEGENERATE ROOTS.