34 



The Bulletin. 



variety tests can only show which are the best varieties of the lot 

 tested and help to guard against trying to grow those that are useless. 



Table XIV— RESULTS OF VARIETY TESTS OF RYE. 



EDGECOMBE FARM. 



On another page we stated that the best variety of plant for a 

 given locality is the one that has been developed under the soil and 

 climatic conditions of that locality. This being true, the only way 

 to know positively that we are growing the best varieties is to ascer- 

 tain the details of their development in their original environments, 

 and since few or none of the many existing varieties of crops are 

 at present grown under soil and climatic conditions similar to those 

 in which they were developed, but have been scattered far and wide 

 over the country and grown under all sorts of soil and climatic con- 

 ditions till they have lost all inheritance but their name, it is plain 

 that any definite knowledge of the probable performance of any 

 of the varieties of crops offered for sale in the general markets will 

 be difficult to obtain. 



In view, then, of the difficulties in the way of securing from abroad 

 the varieties of crops best suited to our conditions, the Department is 

 carrying on extensive plant-breeding work, looking to the develop- 

 ment, on our own soils, of varieties of plants that shall be perfectly 

 adapted to their environments. Below is a brief outline of the method 

 of work in breeding the cereal crops. 



V. METHODS OF WORK IN WHEAT AND OAT BREEDING, 



A large number of plants is carefully selected in the field from 

 varieties that give promise of becoming valuable in the given locality 

 on a definite type of soil. 



A record is kept for each plant selected. This record shows date of 

 maturity ; the number of tillers or stalks the mother plant produced : 

 the height of the stalks ; the weight of grain produced ; color of 

 grain; the character of the head, whether smooth or bearded; and 

 the ability to resist diseases, etc. 



