1 Department of Experimental Plant-Breeding. 



a considerable part of the plants came through the winter and pro- 

 duced a fair crop. 



It is impossible to predict the outcome of these experiments, but 

 they are sufficiently promising to justify their continuance. These 

 winter oats ripen about two weeks earlier than spring sown oats, 

 are freer from . rust and smut, and the individual plants which 

 survive the winter are apparently much superior to the ordinary 

 oat plants. 



(b) Wheat breeding. — The wheat breeding experiments, begun 

 in the fall of 1907, as described in the last report, have been con- 

 tinued. During the last season, small test plants were grown of 

 586 different selections. The best of these will be again selected 

 and planted next year for further trial. In order to judge carefully 

 the various selected strains, a considerable number of standard 

 varieties were also grown in small test plats. There have been 

 grown the present season 168 plats of such varieties. It is neces- 

 sary continuously to grow a considerable number of standard 

 varieties, not only for comparison with selected strains which are 

 under investigation, but also to test and determine the best founda- 

 tion stocks among the well recognized varieties. This data can 

 be obtained only by carefully testing the varieties in our locality for 

 a considerable period. 



Potato breeding experiments. — The potato experiments, outlined 

 in the last report, have also been continued and somewhat extended. 

 The greater part of the work on this subject, however, is primarily 

 of scientific nature, to determine the range of bud variation. Aside 

 from this, a considerable number of seedlings are being grown with 

 the hope of obtaining im^jroved races, and at the same time of ob- 

 taining fuurther information in regard to variation in potato seed- 

 lings and the methods of selection to be pursued with this crop. 



The experiment in the selection of potatoes to determine the ex- 

 tent of bud variation is outlined under another head in this report. 



Forage crop investigations. — • A number of miscellaneous experi- 

 ments are being made with forage crops other than timothy, but 

 these experiments are being conducted on a comparatively small 

 scale. They include. 



First, experiments with vetch to determine the best methods of 

 growing this crop for seed production, and also with the aim of 

 producing strains of vetch that will give good crops of seed when 

 grown in this State. 



