Plant-Breei;1x\g for Farmers. 157 



tal seeding variations. The Pride of Butte wheat, quite well known 

 in California, was found in a field of rye and because of its extreme 

 vigor was saved for trial. The Gold Coin wheat (Fig. 141), a seed- 

 ling sport differing from the Hybrid Mediterranean in being bald 

 and wdiite, was found by Mr. Ira W. Green, of New York, in a field 

 of that race and improved by selection. Mr. Green informs me 

 that by five years of selection he succeeded in fixing the type and mean- 

 while increased its yield about ten per cent. 



It is probable that a dozen sports or mutations of wheat plants are 

 produced every year in New York; any one of which if observed and 

 propagated without further selection would form valuable new varieties, 

 possibly superior to any we now have. Only an isolated individual here 

 and there is watching for such superior plants and testing them. Cannot 

 more farmers be induced to familiarize themselves with the standard 

 wheat varieties, form a critical idea of a good wheat plant, and be on the 

 lookout for such superior plants? Almost all farmers think they know a 

 good wheat plant but it is questionable whether many have observed 

 the individual plants carefully enough so that they would recognize a 

 plant having a larger number of stools tlian common, or exceptional 

 yield as judged by the average size of all heads on the plant, etc. Dif- 

 ferent v/heat plants and varieties should be studied till the breeder can 

 recognize exceptional plants as to size of head, yield of grain, good quality 

 and size of grain, number of stools, strength of straw, etc. (Fig. 142). 

 Equipped with this knowledge, the grower is ready to search the road sides, 

 fence corners, wheat-fields, oat-, barley- and rye-fields, indeed to be on 

 the lookout constantly and everywhere for wheat plants showing desirable 

 qualities. Don't wait until the wheat is mature and ready to cut before 

 searching for such good plants. As soon as the wheat is large enough to 

 show mature size of heads begin the search. As plants are located 

 which appear promising, mark them or note their location so that the 

 mature seed can be gathered later. The number of plants to be selected 

 should be limited only by the breeder's enthusiasm and the time at his 

 disposal. The more the better is the only instruction that can be given, 

 as the greater number of selections made, the greater is the probability 

 that one individual of exceptional value may be found. If possible, at 

 least several hundred should be selected. 



When the plants are ripe the seed from each plant sh.ould be gathered 

 and preserved in separate sacks. If you have scales of sufficient fineness 

 it would be desirable and interesting to weigh the total grain from each 

 plant and preserve this record for future comparison. Number each 

 selected plant by the system discussed in early part of this paper (see 

 page 142). These plants are the first generation selections. 



