PLANT HYBRIDIZATION BEFORE MENDEL 113 



such as their time of ripening, length of stem, etc. By such means, the 

 new varieties could be more readily distinguished from the old, and 

 twice-naming detected, as the effects of soil and seasons upon the differ- 

 ent kinds approximated. . . . Then, commencing on one side, the seeds 

 were placed by the hand at a given thickness, and each variety covered 

 with earth before another was planted. By proceeding in this manner, 

 the seeds were placed in the soil at nearly equal depths and distances, 

 and the different varieties kept from intermixing in the process of sow- 

 ing." {ib., pp. 8-9.) 



By i860, "Shirreff's Bearded Red" had increased until it 

 amounted to twelve acres. 



In i860, the trial wheat plots contained seed from eighty-four 

 heads. By this time, Shirreff had become well known, so that 

 heads of wheat were being sent to him by many persons from 

 different places, the seeds of which found their way into his 

 experimental plots. 



"In 1862, an attempt was made to improve oats." (p. 12.) 

 From fields in the neighborhood of Haddington selected heads 

 were taken. In 1864, the more promising kinds were included in 

 this trial plot along with eighteen named varieties. Ultimately, 

 four of the selections were propagated, under the names of "Early 

 Fellow," "Fine Fellow," "Long Fellow," and "Early Angus." 



Shirreff had by this time come to the following conclusion : 



"Many people believe that some plants can be altered by skilful 

 treatment, but my experience had tended to show that there is no way 

 of permanently improving a species but by a new variety. In support 

 of the view of plant improving, gardeners can point to- hosts of new and 

 improved varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, while, to corrobo- 

 rate, farmers can bring forward the Chevalier Barley, Swede Turnip, 

 Italian rye-grass and the Alsike Clover. To this' principle of improvement 

 the cereals form no exception ; and the small amelioration which they 

 have undergone in this age of progress, may fitly be attributed to the 

 apathy of corn growers in this department of agriculture." {ib., pp. 14-18.) 



"New varieties of the cereals," Shirreff says, "can annually be obtained 

 from three sources — from crossing, from natural sports, and from for- 

 eign countries." {ib., p. 18.) 



Shirreff's technique in the crossing of wheat may be of interest 

 to breeders of this cereal. 



"Before commencing to cross," he says, "consider what properties the 

 new variety is wished to inherit; and fix upon such kinds as possess in 

 the highest degree the desired properties." {ib., p. 22.) 



A day or two after the head emerged from the sheath, the head 

 was shortened, every alternate spikelet was removed, and only 

 the two lateral or outside flowers of each spikelet were allowed 



