The Production of New and Improved Varieties of Timothy 353 



individuals is not fully known, but a number of plants in our experi- 

 ments are now eight years old and many still appear vigorous. 



This variation in rapidity of growth suggests the advisability of secur- 

 ing short-lived, quick-growing varieties for special use in short rotations, 

 and other slower-growing types for permanent meadows. 



Variations in stooling. — The marked variation of different plants in 

 their ability to stool, or spread by underground shoots, suggests the 

 possibility of securing plants that normally propagate by underground 

 stems, suitable for use as pasture types. The majority of the varieties 

 stool too near the surface of the ground and are too greatly injured by 

 the trampling of stock to form satisfactory pasture types. It is probable 

 that types stooling abundantly and rather deeply could be selected, which 

 would be far superior to ordinary timothy for pastures. In our experi- 

 ments, only slight attention has thus far been given to this problem. 



TYPES OF TIMOTHY VARIETIES DESIRED 



From the above discussion of variations observed in timothy, it will 

 have become evident to the reader that almost any type of timothy 

 desired can probably be found or produced by careful breeding, as almost 

 every character presents niimerous variations. In starting the selections 

 a careful study of the variation was made in order to determine the com- 

 bination of characters that a good type should possess. It was desired 

 primarily to secure early, medium, and late hay types that would be good 

 yielders. Any perfect plant of these three types, in order to be best 

 suited to the purpose, should necessarily possess the following characters 

 as nearly in the maximum degree exhibited as could be found combined 

 in any existing plant or plants: 



1. Highest yield. 



2. A tall plant. 



3. A broad, thick plant, thus necessarily stooling abundantly. 



4. With many culms and dense. 



5. The plant must grow erect, showing no tendency to lodge. 



6. The plant must have many and large leaves. 



7. The leaves must extend well to the top of the plant. 



8. The leaves must remain green until well into the harvesting period 

 or until the heads ripen. 



9. The plant must be in large degree resistant to rust. 



10. The heads should be of medium size and should develop abundant 

 and good seed. 



All plants selected for practical purposes were examined with reference 

 to these characters, and the best individuals, or types, found were selected 



