No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 169 



INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF PROTEIN BY PLANT BREEDING. 



The most rcroiil oxperimonts in plant improvement by breeding 

 and selection indicates that a great deal can be done towards increas- 

 ing the supply of protein by increasing the percentage of protein in 

 the crops raised on tlR' lanu. It is well known that special (lualities 

 in animals have been produced by selection and breeding. Plants 

 are not unlike animals in this respect, and if tin- same laws are ob- 

 served the future will find distinct breeds or types of our various 

 cro[)s possessing sjiecial cliai'actcristics as to the relative amounts of 

 the valuable constituents. 



What nuiy be accomjjlislied by plant breeding is well illustrated 

 by the improvements made in the sugar content of the sugar beet, 

 sorghum and sugar cane. In Table IV is exhibited what might be 

 expected as the ultimate outcome of plant improvement by selecting 

 and breeding, if the highest types of which there is knowledge were 

 to be used as a basis. From this table it will be seen that there are 

 great possibilities even with those crops which have been commonly 

 raised on the farms of this State for years. From present indications 

 the corn plant presents not only the easiest subjects for improve- 

 ment, but also seems to possess the greatest possibilities. 



It must be remembered that when the protein content of the crops 

 is increased, the carboh^'drates are diminished proportionately; con- 

 sequently the nutritive ration is narrowed and with the full realiza- 

 tion of the facts as eet forth in Table IV there would be no difficulty 

 in balancing a ration witli the ordinary products of the farm. It 

 is essential that every farmer who expects to keep pace with the 

 times and be able to cope with the competition of the future should 

 start at once upon the improvement of the breed of his crops, es- 

 pecially of the corn crop, with more protein for the goal. 



There has been 50 samples of corn submitted to Maryland Station 

 for analysis by farmers who are taking up the question of breeding up 

 the corn crop. These samples showed a range of from 8 to 12.5 per 

 cent, of protein, which with a 10 barrel crop would be equivalent to 

 a range of 157 pounds of protein per acre. Crops can not be improv- 

 ed at one place for all, but will have to be done in different sections, 

 so a& to have the crop adapted to the various climatic and soil con- 

 ditions. 



Improvement of the crop will necessitate the improvement of the 

 soil, and in fact a rich soil will have much influence in bringing up 

 the protein content of the crop, and this will be another reason for 

 availing of the value of the leguminous crops as agents for soil im- 

 provement. 



SAMPLE RATIONS. 



In Table V are given some sample rations which serve to &how 

 how such leguminous crops, as alfalfa and cow peas, can be used in 

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