270 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



Oat Selection Experiments. 



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

 3'ear's plots because of their excellence in one or more qualities, is 

 planted on the head-row system. 25 grains from each of 225 selected 

 lines are planted in short rows in the oat-breeding garden No. i. The 

 visitor should note the manj' different types to be found among these 

 pedigree oat rows. Next year the best of these rows will be used for 

 further propagation. The effect of individual plant selection within a 

 pedigree line is being tested in this oat-garden. 



Beans. 



This plot contains the continuation of an experiment in breeding 

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

 One bean was planted to a hill. Strains embodying desirable characters 

 are being propagated on a larger scale. Variety tests of unselected seed 

 of standard varieties are also being conducted in connection with the 

 pedigree work. 



Variety Test of Oats. 



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

 great differences in the yield and other characters of the different 

 varieties. Second, to serve as a check and basis of comparison in a 

 series of breeding experiments with oats. The variety tests this year 

 are a continuation of those of last year. 



There are 22 varieties under test this year. Of these 8 are new (i. e., 

 have never before been tested at Highmoor) and 14 have been in these 

 tests in previous years. Each plot is i-io acre in size, and there are 

 44 of them. Each of the 22 varieties has two-tenth acre plots assigned 

 to it. One of these duplicates is on 4A, and the other is on 4B. The 

 plants are seeded (with a grain drill) at the rate of two bushels to the 

 acre. 



The following table shows the names of the varieties and the sources 

 of seed used: 



