738 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Data giveu coniiiaring crossed and selfed varieties with the parents show that 

 the yield was increased in the first generation of the cross when the pai'ents 

 had been selfed for one or more years before the cross was made, and the 

 increase in the first generation hybrid was found to be much larger thnn in the 

 normal variety. Where the second generation crop was grown the yield was 

 greatly reduced. 



The results of a test of first generation hybrid corn, carried on in cooperation 

 with several farmers in Connecticut, are given. Seven crosses between varieties 

 were used and gave beneficial results in o cases, showing crops ranging from 

 7 to 44 bu. more for the hybrid than for the parent grown. The 2 crosses which 

 proved no better than the parent varieties were also tested by the farmers who 

 made them. A test of Watson White Flint X Woodbridge Yellow Flint gave a 

 much larger yield for the crossed type than for Woodbridge parent, outyielding 

 the parent by 17.2 bu. 



The authors conclude that the production of corn by the utilization of the 

 increased vigor due to a first generation hybrid is of commercial importance. 

 Directions are given for the selection of parent varieties and for making the 

 cross, and securing first generation hybrid seed every year for the commercial 

 crop. 



Experiments in potato growing', H. Henshaw (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London'\, 11 

 (1911), Xo. 11, pp. 892-90.'/). — These pages report the results of numerous 

 tests of seed of various potato varieties direct from Scotland in comparison 

 with other seed grown out of Scotland for from 1 to 5 years. 



In 1905 the use of seed of sizes ranging from H to 2i in. resulted in crops 

 varying directly in total weight with the size and weight of the sets planted, but 

 more than twice as great a weight of diseased potatoes resulted from the plant- 

 ing of the largest sets. In 1906 and 1907 sets between 1^ and If in. and those 

 between If and 2^ in. yielded crops averaging 11 tons and 12 tons 3 cwt. per 

 acre respectively, but the weights of marketable produce yielded were prac- 

 tically equal. The author notes that the kidney-shaped varieties do not give 

 such satisfactory results when cut as do the round varieties. 



Potatoes which had sprouted badly and from which the sprouts were removed 

 before planting, produced somewhat higher yields in 4 tests conducted in 3 

 different years than did sound unsprouted potatoes. Variety tests are also 

 reported. Numerous varieties, each purchased as genuine stock, are grouped 

 on the basis of their close resemblance to S well-established varieties. 



Standard and undesirable commercial types of potatoes, J. G. Milward 

 (Wisconsin Hta. Circ. Inform. 26, folio; >S'»;j.). — This circular is published in 

 the form of a wall poster about 33 in. by 21 in., and is designed to bring about 

 improvement in the uniformity and quality of car shipments, especially in con- 

 nection with the use of the community center plan of seed distribution. It 

 illustrates the standard types of Burbank, Early Rose, and Rural New Yorker 

 potatoes and some undesirable types of each. It is accompanied by a supple- 

 ment which illustrates 4 stardard late varieties and the same number of 

 standard early varieties. 



Growing pedigreed sugar beet seed in South Dakota, 1910, J. H. Shepard 

 (South Dakota Sta. Bui. 129, pp. 1 Jf7-160 ) .—Th\s is a continuation of Bulletin 

 121 (E. S. R., 23, p. 536). 



A brief account is given of a plan for classifying the beets with reference 

 to size, sugar content, and other characteristics. Notes on the work of 1910 

 are accompanied by tables presenting data on the mother beets, hybrid mothers, 

 perennial mother beets, and the seed grown during that year. 



