CHARACTERS OF HINDI HYBRIDS. 



35 



Tablk III. — Census of ncctai'ics of JJiJi/iilidii and Hindi cotton plant.- 



Another example of a iiotal)le departure from parental characters 

 was shown in a block of h3'bri(ls produced b}^ Mr. Fletcher b}' cross- 

 ing two Egyptian varieties. The whole block showed a remarkable 

 susceptibility to a disease of the roots similar to the Avilt of the 

 United States. The whole block of plants was notably different in 

 behavior from either of the three other blocks of hybrids that in- 

 closed it on three sides; the other side bordered on a roadwa}^ All 

 of the plants were small, with a verj?^ open habit of growth, and 

 their foliage was tinged with red. Man}' of the roots were dead or 

 dying and had changed to a gra^dsh-brown color. The contrast, 

 between this block and its neio-hbors was very distinct out to the 

 square corners, with the larger and more healthy plants on either 

 side. 



Microscopical examination by Mr. Fletcher found the fibro-vascu- 

 lar bundles of the roots stuffed with fungous mycelium. There 

 seemed to be no escape from Mr. Fletcher's vieAv that this particular 

 stock of hybrids was unusually susceptible to the disease in compari- 

 son with the surrounding stocks. The peculiarity may have come, 

 of course, from one of the individual plants that happened to be 

 used as parent of the cross, but this does not diminish the value of 

 the evidence that some member.s of the P^gyptian type may have 

 marked susceptibility to the disease. ]\Ir. P'letcher has noted other 

 indications of such susceptibility and is inclined to believe that the 



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