Production of Crop Seeds

Abstract

THE supply and distribution of seeds of agricultural and horticultural crops has been a problem of major concern since 1939 for countries isolated from Central Europe. The developments that have taken place in their attempt to achieve self-sufficiency in this respect are described in Joint Publication No. 5 issued by the Imperial Bureaux, “The Production of Seed of Root Crops and Vegetables” (price 3s.). The creation of the sugar beet industry in the United States market is perhaps the most complete of the accounts published, for it can now meet domestic needs, whereas during 1932-34 dependence on imported seed was absolute. Good results have been obtained with vegetable seed production in Sweden, and provided the right areas are selected the prospect seems promising in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. As regards Great Britain considerable progress has been made, and although Scotland appears to be outside the limits of economic seed production for all but a few vegetable crops, in England the chief advances lie in determining those areas where maximum seed yield can be expected. An interesting development is the investigation into the possibilities afforded by the tropical highlands and by those parts of the Empire which lie in the Mediterranean basin. Much information is provided on the varieties used, seed laws and regulations, and a useful index of crops and varieties is appended. Specialists or members of recognized scientific institutions who are in need of more complete references to the literature on any given section, or of more detailed information on special points, are invited to apply to the Imperial Agricultural Bureaux at East Mailing, Aberystwyth or Cambridge.