MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMKXT STATION IQII 273 



Plot No. 10 on map is planted witli a variety of corn originally ob- 

 tained from Mr. Hiram Cornforth of Waterville. This plot consists 

 of 50 rows planted on the ear-to-row system. These ears were selected 

 from last year's breeding plot, with special references to desirable qual- 

 ities. Many were hand pollinated last year. This plot will furnish in- 

 teresting data on the effect of inbreeding in corn. 



Hybrid Corn. 



The chief object of this experiment is to accumulate scientific data re- 

 garding heredity. In igo8 there was obtained a quantity of seed which 

 was a cross between Cornforth's yellow dent and Dennett sweet corn. 

 In the second generation this hybrid corn breaks up into four more or 

 less distinct types. On the same ear there occur yellow sweet kernels and 

 white sweet kernels. These four kinds of corn, as well as some of the 

 first hybrid generation were grown last year. This year the experiment 

 is being continued along the same lines. In this plot an experimental 

 planting of a tassel-ear (a small ear borne on the tassel or spindle) has 

 been made. 



Pedigree Oats. 



This year the seed from the individual oat plants, selected from last 

 year's plots because of their excellence in one or more qualities, is plant- 

 ed on the head-row system. 25 grains from each of 219 selected heads 

 are planted in short rows in the oat-breeding garden No. 5. The visi- 

 tor should note the many different types to be found among these pedi- 

 gree oat rows. Next year the best of these rows will be used for fur- 

 ther propagation. 



Beans. 



This plot contains the beginning of an experiment in breeding yellow- 

 eyed beans, of both the old-fashioned and improved varieties. One 

 bean was planted to a hill, each hill thus becoming the foundation of a 

 pedigree line or strain. Strains embodying desirable characters will 

 be further propagated. 



Variety Test of Oats. 



The object of this variety test is two-fold. First, to demonstrate the 

 great difference in the yield and other characters of the different varie- 

 ties. Second, to form the basis of a series of breeding experiments with 

 oats. The variety tests this year are a continuation of those of last year. 



There are 17 plots in all, each containing one-tenth of an acre. The 

 oats were put in with a disc grain drill and sown at the rate of 2 bush- 

 els (by measure) per acre. Each plot is planted either with a different 

 variety or in case there is more than one plot of the same variety, the 

 seed came from different sources. The following list gives the variety 

 and the source of the seed for each plot. 



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