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variet}'. The former phase will be best discussed under the subject of 

 h^'bridization. 



In eases like those of the different varieties of Fife and Velvet Blue 

 Stem, such as Wellman's Fife, Haj^ne's Blue Stem, etc., above men- 

 tioned, as well as many others that might be described, the new sort, 

 if it is rightly called such, has been produced b}^ ver}^ gradual improve- 

 ments during many years. It is not a selection of varieties, nor of 

 offspring showing combinations of elements from different varieties as 

 a result of crossing, but is simply a selection of individuals. The 

 process is slower and the changes effected are not so great at an}^ one 

 time, but in the end important results ma}^ be reached. 



Selection of this kind is, of course, the most common, and occurs 

 constantl}' in nature, especiall}^ in connection with the qualities of rust 

 resistance, hardiness against cold, etc. Farmers prett}^ generally 

 practice a sort of selection of seed corn, and often too of potatoes, for 

 seed. Comparatively little attention, however, is paid to the selec- 

 tion of Av heat for seed, although the wheat plant is ver}" susceptible to 

 its environment, furnishing therefore many variations as a basis for 

 excellent results in this line. 



It is through this kind of w^ork, but carried on thoroughly and svs- 

 tematically, that Prof. W. M. Hays, of the Minnesota Experiment 

 Station, has attained some ver}^ interesting and practical results with 

 the Fife and Velvet Blue Stem varieties of that region. He has prac- 

 ticed rigid selection with these varieties for a number of 3'ears, giving 

 special attention to yield and quality of grain as shown by the baker's 

 test. Certain new strains capable of giving to the farmer substantial 

 gains over others have already been produced in this wa}'. He has 

 also developed a method of keeping records which is worthy of the 

 attention of other experimenters. 



In the preceding pages the special needs of different wheat districts 

 have been discussed, and also the groups of wheats from w^hich, in 

 crossbreeding, the qualities for satisfying these needs may be secured. 

 One must not forget, however, how much such qualities may ))e 

 increased in the varieties already grown in the district, and should 

 remember too, that even after great improvements have been secured 

 through hybridization, very careful selection must be practiced in 

 order to maintain the standard of excellence reached, especially if the 

 variety is to be grow^n under conditions adverse to the production of 

 the particular qualit}' accjuired. 



Some of the most important qualities of the wheat plant that may 

 readily be increased on any farm simply by selecting seed from those 

 plants which exhibit these qualities to the greatest degree, are yield, 

 drought resistance, winter hardiness, rust resistance, earliness in rip- 

 ening, quality of the grain in any respect, and nonshattering. If in 

 passing through a field certain i)lants jire noticed which are almost or 



