B. P. I.— 566. 



TEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE WITH THE 

 SWEDISH SELECT OAT. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the region between the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains 

 one of the best-known varieties of oat at present is the Swedish Select. 

 The annual production of this variety in the area mentioned is already 

 at least 50,000,000 bushels, and in certain localities it has for some 

 time entirely replaced all other kinds. It is the most popular oat in 

 Wisconsin and adjacent districts, and the acreage sown each year has 

 increased rapidly. Yet up to 1899 this oat was quite unknown in 

 North America. 



The Swedish Select oat was introduced into the United States by 

 the writer in the spring of 1899 in time for planting that season. It 

 was obtained, along with other cereals, while making an exploration 

 of the cold and semiarid regions of Russia and western Siberia in 

 1898-99 in search of cereals adapted to corresponding conditions in 

 this country. At the same time two other oat varieties were obtained, 

 one of which, the Tobolsk, is of much value, but the Swedish Select 

 is proving to be by far the best of the three in nearly every respect. 

 It originated in Sweden as a pedigree variety developed by selection 

 many years ago and was afterwards grown in Finland and in St. 

 Petersburg Province, Russia. Under the severe weather conditions 

 of these localities it became well acclimated for a cold and dry 

 climate. 



CHARACTERISTICS. 



The Swedish Select variety is a large-grained white oat, with a 

 spreading top or panicle. (See PI. I.) The distinguishing marks are 

 a blunt, plump kernel, with, usually, dark, slightly twisted awns and 

 a heavy weight per bushel. It is a very prolific variety, which qual- 

 ity, together with the size and weight of the kernel, is no doubt the 

 result of previous selection. The usual weight per bushel is 34 to 36 

 pounds, while in Montana a weight of 44 to 46 pounds is not rare. In 

 order, therefore, to appreciate its real superiority over other varie- 

 ties in yield per acre, comparison must be made on the basis of bushels 



182 7 



