In consequence, no young
individual with an undivided primary leaf was planted out. Choosing the
20 or 30 best specimens in the seed-pan, no further selection was
required, and the whole lot could be left to cross-fertilization by
insects.
The observation of this distinguishing mark in the young seedlings has
led to the discovery of another quality as a starting-paint for further
[348] selection. According to the general rule of pedigree-culture, the
seeds of each individual plant are always saved and sowed separately.
This is done even with such species as the clover, which are infertile
when self-pollinated, and which are incapable of artificial pollination
on the required scale, since each flower produces only one seed. My
clover was always left free to be pollinated by insects. Obviously this
must have led to a diminution of the differentiating characters of the
individual plants. But this does not go far enough to obliterate the
differences, and the selection made among the seedlings will always
throw out at least a large part of those that have suffered from the
cross.
Leaving this discussion, we may inquire closer into the nature of the
new criterion afforded by the seedlings. Two methods present themselves.
First, the choice of the best seedlings. In the second place it becomes
possible to compare the parent-plants by counting the number of
deviating seedlings.
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