MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 14- 



all countries. But he is just beginning to realize the value of breeding in 

 relation to crops. 



Of course all those who have given thought to the matter concede that 

 prolificacy, resistance to disease and adaptability to given conditions are all 

 factors which can be greatly influenced by breeding, selection and cultural 

 care of crops much the same as the efficiency of animals can be influenced by 

 breeding and care. With farm crops forming the basis for most of the agri- 

 culture in this state and many other states, the surprising thing is that more 

 efllort has not been expended in the past years in the development, selection 

 and standardizing of a few good varieties of each kind of grain. 



With the advent and considerable distribution of pedigreed varieties in 

 this state, the members of the Michigan Experiment Association came to the 

 conclusion that some follow-up wprk was necessary beyond the mere releasing 

 of a few bushels of improved varieties from the station plats, if these varieties 

 were to become a permanent asset to the state. Moreover, the original pur- 

 pose of the Michigan Experiment Association to experiment with and test the 

 value of improved varieties had been attained, in that most of the members 

 had come to the conclusion from their results that certain varieties were the 

 kinds best adapted to Michigan conditions. 



In order to make it iwssible for other people to profit by their experience, 

 the members of the Michigan Experiment Association changed the plan of the 

 organization to some extent in January, 1917, and reorganized under the name 

 of the Michigan Crop Improvement Association. This organization includes 

 in its activities the testing out of improved varieties and methods in coopera- 

 tion with not only the Farm Crops Department, but also with other depart- 

 ments closely related with successful crop production, such as Plant Pathology, 

 Bacteriology, etc. 



This association does not confine itself alone to the testing of pedigreed 

 varieties developed at the Michigan Experiment Station, but also seeks to ascer- 

 tain on the farms of men interested the value of other varieties obtained 

 through commercial sources, experiment stations of other states, and from 

 farmers who have varieties that have given good results locally. 



When after a number of successive years of testing out varieties in con- 

 junction • with the Farm Crops Department of the Michigan Agricultural 

 College, a variety is found which is especially adapted to the given conditions, 

 and this variety is of such importance that the association believes that other 

 farmers should have means of obtaining genuine seed of that variety, it is 

 made possible for farmers growing this crop to have their grain inspected 

 by agents of the association in the field just before harvest and again after 

 the seed is in storage. 



The inspected seed requirements of the association are available to any 

 one who wishes to write to the secretary for them, and these requirements 

 are also furnished to each purchaser of inspected seed. These requirements 



