Department of Plant-Breeding Ixxiii 



quarter in the coin card, on receipt of which a packet of the seed weighing 

 one and one half ounces was mailed to each. It should be added that the 

 small amount charged for these packets w^as utilized to defray the ex- 

 pense of postage and packing. There were 75 responses to this circular 

 letter, representing 67 different localities. It is planned to keep in touch 

 with this work by means of correspondence. It is hoped that within three 

 years the benefits of the distribution may be apparent in a much larger 

 way. 



Organisation of timothy contest. — Another important step has been 

 made in regard to the distribution of seed and the improvement of the 

 timothy crop. Jefferson county w^as chosen for this, not only because it is 

 the center of a timothy section, but also because valuable assistance in con- 

 ducting the work was offered by the Farm Bureau in that county. There 

 were two objects in view w^hen planning this enterprise: the first of these 

 was the distribution of an improved variety of timothy in this good hay 

 section ; the second was the stimulation of interest in the method of 

 timothy improvement. Personal visits were made to a large number of 

 farmers, and to those who were willing to undertake the W'Ork a small 

 packet of seed was given. By sowing the seed in flats, the cooperator was 

 enabled later to transplant to the field 300 to 500 plants. These w^ere 

 planted in such a way as to allow of the fullest possible development. 

 During the coming year, timothy lectures and field meetings wall be held 

 in that county, and probably a car containing a timothy exhibit wull be sent 

 through. At the end of the second season, when these plants wuU have 

 reached a full growth, it is planned to hold a timothy contest in which 

 each cooperator will enter the best ten individual plants produced in his 

 plat. These plants will be scored by experts and liberal premiums 

 awarded to the w'inners. Thus, the cooperator will not only have learned 

 the method of the improvement of this crop, but wall also have made a 

 good beginning in selection on his own farm and will have a source of 

 stock seed. As rapidly as possible these contests wall be organized in 

 other counties. It is believed that they will be as strong a factor in the 

 improvement of timothy as the corn contests have been in the improve- 

 ment of corn. 



JVIieat and oats. — A beginning has been made in the distribution of 

 wheat and oats. Only small quantities are available, and these are being 

 tested and increased as rapidly as possible so that a general distribution 

 may be made. From the cooperative corn-breeding plats, some good 

 strains are being obtained. The Department will keep a considerable 

 amount of these on hand for distribution. In every case only a small 

 amount of seed can be sent to any one farmer, but with careful handling 

 this may soon be made to fulfill his needs. 



