52 Department of Plant-Breeding. 



Another study of a similar nature has been conducted with oats dur- 

 ing the past year. The investigation was begun with the seed planted, 

 taking such notes as weight and length of seed ; then, with the appear- 

 ance of the seedlings, careful data were taken from time to time until 

 the plants matured in order to determine, if possible, what characters 

 may be correlated with yield so as to enable one to select seed from 

 the high-yielding individuals before time of maturity. This study will 

 be continued another year as it is not yet in shape to draw any definite 

 conclusions. 



Studies on bud variations. — The very important study of bud varia- 

 tions is being continuea. One of the main pieces of investigation in this 

 line is that of testing different variations occurring in the potato. This 

 work was fully outlined in the last report of this department, but has 

 not been carried far enough to enable one to draw definite conclusions. 



An experiment is also being conducted with daisies to determine how 

 much difference there may be in the seedlings from one plant due to 

 bud variation. This is being done by planting seeds from different heads 

 of the same plant and making careful statistical studies of the progeny 

 developing from these seeds. 



Cytological studies. — Cytological studies are under way, comparing 

 mutants with their original forms. The material for these studies is 

 furnished by the Cupid Sweat Pea as compared with the original form. 



Cytological studies are also under way to determine if possible the 

 cause of sterility in hybrids. Material is being obtained from a sterile 

 wheat-rye hybrid, sterile carnations, and others. 



publications. 

 The following bulletins have been published during the past year or 

 are in press : Bulletin 279, Variation and Correlation in Timothy, by 

 Dr. C. F. Clark ; Correlation of Characters in Corn, by E. C. Ewing, in 

 press ; Studies of Variation in Plants, by Dr. H. H. Love, in press. 



plant-breeding staff. 

 The experimental division is now composed of one professor, one 

 assistant professor, and two assistants. In addition Assistant Professor 

 A. W. Gilbert gives part time to the experimental work. Dr. C. F. 

 Clark has left this department to take up work in the Bureau of Plant 

 Industry at Washington, D. C. Dr. E. P. Humbert, who was an assist- 

 ant in the department and at the same time worked for his doctor's 

 degree, has finished his studies and has taken up work in the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry. Two new assistants have been added to the department, 

 namely, Mr. C. E. Leighty and Miss Anna M. Atwater. 



