DIVISION OF VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY. 51 



out. The regions from which these various types could be obtained 

 were empliasized in such a way as to show interested jjarties wliere 

 and how to obtain them. To add to the commercial aspect of the 

 exhibit, our methods of handling grain from the time it is harvested 

 until it is loaded and ready for export were fulh" illustrated by photo- 

 graphs, charts, and export packages of the grains themselves. The 

 packages were provided in quantity so that foreigners interested in 

 the grains as food products could obtain samples. After the instal- 

 lation of the exhibit the associate in charge was detailed to the Sec- 

 tion of Seed and Plant Introduction, and sent, under instructions from 

 the special agent in charge of this Section, to southern Russia for the 

 purpose of collecting varieties of wheats and other grain suitable for 

 cultivation in the United States. 



PLANT BREEDING. 



The work on plant breeding has been carried forward as rapidly as 

 possible, mainly along lines similar to those outlined last year, new 

 work being inaugurated as time perniitted. In work of this nature 

 it necessarily requires^3ears to obtain final results, and it is therefore 

 encouraging that already many important hyl)rids and varieties have 

 been obtained. The orange h^djrids, made with a view of securing 

 hardier sorts, have been budded on young stocks, and these are being 

 grown and tested in cooperation with the various agricultural experi- 

 ment stations of the South. Last winter 12 of these hybrids proved 

 considerably hardier than the Satsuma orange, which is the hardiest 

 of the evergreen oranges grown in this country. It still remains to 

 be seen what may be the character of the fruit and the permanent 

 value of these hybrids. This year buds of many of the orange, 

 j)omelo, and tangerine hybrids have been sent to growers, under spe- 

 cial arrangements, to be grown and tested in cooperation with the 

 Department. Some 2,000 hybrids of various kinds are now being tested 

 in this wa}'. 



As incidentally referred to elsewhere, the work on breeding of 

 cereals, especially wheats, was pushed forward as rapidly as could be 

 done during the absence of the associate in charge of cereal work. 

 Several hundred varieties of wheat, obtained from Russia and else- 

 where, were sown at Halstead, Kans., and with these as a basis nearly 

 500 hybrids have been obtained, some of which it is ho^Ded will have 

 special value. In carrj-ing on this work the special needs of the 

 various regions where wheat can be grown were kept constantly in 

 mind. Particular attention was given to the needs of the South and 

 West, and the work so far is showing promising results. 



The corn-breeding work, started in 1898, is being continued and 

 considerably extended. Several hybrids grown last j^ear at the 

 Nebraska experiment station showed features of promise for other 

 sections of the country-, and the i^resent season these are being tested 

 in such sections. Such hybrids are now being grown in Virginia, 

 Maryland, Xew York, Michigan, and Nebraska, and will be subjected 

 to selection the present season and to further testing next j^ear. The 

 value of any new form must be determined by several years' selection 

 in a locality suitable for the purpose. It is confidently expected that 

 some of the sorts being tried will prove valuable additions to our lists 

 of races. The main features of importance desired in corn are early 

 maturing, drought resistance, resistance to smut, increased protein 

 content, and increased yield. The Illinois and Kansas experiment 



