Breeding of Timothy 



547 



Selection, then^ as the term is used here, does not produce 

 anything new, but merely searches out types already existing, 

 which are unnoticed and unavailable for use because of their 

 close commingling with other types. 



The first step in improving a crop by the method of selection 

 might properly be called the inventory ; that is, the crop must be 

 studied carefully in order to determine what are the existing types. 

 It is w^rong to fix in mind some ideal type and attempt to attain 

 that. After the various types have been isolated, it is then time 

 to ascertain which ones are the more desirable. 



Fig. GUI. This Type Sprk.vds Over Enough Ground but is not a 



Heavy Yielder. 



The Cornell experiments in the breeding of timothy illustrate 

 the application of this method. At first, timothy seed was col- 

 lected from a great many sources. Samples of these different lots 

 of seed were germinated in the greenhouse and later the seed- 

 lings were transplanted to the field in rows 30 inches apart each 

 way. Care was taken to have only one seedling in a place. In 

 this way each plant had an opportunity to develop to the fullest 



