EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



55< 



marked superiority of jmrc strains, or pedigreed oats over the average 

 run of varieties. 



During the past two years these improved strains have gained greatly 

 in acreage, but as yet a large percentage of Michigan's oat acreage is 

 planted to mediocre, poor, or unadapted varieties. Frequently the im- 

 proved strains in variety tests will out-yield varieties gathered up in 

 the neighborhood of the tests and planted and harvested under the 

 same conditions by as much as 20%. It is safe to say that the great 

 majority of oat growers in Michigan, who as yet grow unimproved 

 vaideties, can better their yields by several bushels per acre by adopt- 

 ing a high yielding variety, witliout extra cost of production, except 

 the slight increase in work resulting from harvesting a heavier crop, 

 and the small initial extra cost of changing seed. 



For the past 15 years, F. A. Spragg, Plant Breeder of the Michigan 

 Agricultural College, has devoted much time to the production of im- 

 proved oat varieties. The method which he follows, bidefly stated, en- 

 tails the careful selection of pure strains from the highest yielding 

 varieties as determined by test, and the increase of these pure strains 

 on the Experiment Station increase plats, for wide-spread distribution 

 to Michigan farmers through the agency, largely, of the Michigan Crop 

 Improvement Association. These improved or pedigreed varieties have 

 demonstrated their worth in the field and can be secured in quantity 

 from members of the Michigan Crop Improvement Association, and 

 from many Michigan seed companies, as well as from farmers growing 

 them in practically all Michigan oat growing counties. 



The following pedigreed varieties, developed at the Michigan Agricul- 

 tural College, have proven their excellence: Wolverine, College Wonder, 

 Worthy, College Success, Alexander. 



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IIIGII-YIELDIXG, PUKE-STKAIN VARIETIES. 



The Wolverine, College Wonder, College Success, Worth.v, and Alexander are pure strains 

 of oat varieties, originating at the Michigan Agricultural College and extensively distributed 

 by the Crop Improvement Association and leading Michigan seed companies. These varie- 

 ties are open panicled white oats and yield consistently better than the great majority 

 of ordinary oat varieties. 



