698 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



characteristics to reach a normal development. It was stated that these require- 

 ments are more or less closely approximated by the various isolation methods 

 now in use. 



S. M. Tracy showed by numerous illustrations I'he Importance of Securing 

 Full and Accurate Descriptions of Varieties. The Press and Breeding was dis- 

 cussed by W. I. Chamberlain, mainly as regards the use of illustrations in 

 advertising. 



Papers read hy title. — C. E. Woodruff submitted a paper entitled : The Pre- 

 vention of Degeneration is the Only Practical Eugenics. The author maintained 

 thata study of heredity will prove that defects are olten due to remedial causes, 

 and suggested that sanitation in its broadest sense is the only practical means 

 lor preventing degeneration. 



The Evolution of the Bacon Hog in Ontario was set forth in a paper by 

 J. Dryden. This was considered the highest achievement of the Ontario Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture while under the guidance of the author. It was stated 

 that the present high and uniform quality of bacon has been attained entirely 

 by selection based on the killing tests. The animals reserved for breeding were 

 selected to supply the same type which won first place in such tests. Close in- 

 breeding was not resorted to. 



A Plea for a More Extended Use of the System of Live Stock Registration 

 was made in a paper by M. M. Boyd. 



A paper by J. B. Norton discussed the methods of oat breeding, and mentioned 

 results which have already been secured. The principal aim in the breeding 

 of oats in the United States is that of resistance. Plants have already been 

 obtained which ai'e nearly free from smut and rust. 



A paper on The Selection of Seed Corn, by C. I>. Smith, contained the results 

 of experimental work and suggestions concerning the best methods to be 

 employed in the selection of seed corn. 



Statistics of Cotton Variation were reported in a paper by N. D. Shoemaker. 

 The study was inidertaken to determine the gain in a desirable character which 

 might be expected from the progeny of a single plant, and how this gain might 

 be affected by cultivation and seasons. The results are interi)reted as favoring 

 the check-row system, making a large number of selections, and the keeping of 

 fairly complete progeny records. 



H. H. Groff called attention to certain results which have been secured by 

 him in growing gladioli ; and The Ease and Importance of Inii)roving the Varie- 

 ties of Cultivated Nuts was discussed in a paper by J. R. Smith. 



A paper by N. E. Hansen entitled, A Plant Breeder's Trip to Eurasia gave 

 notes on a journey around the world, made primarily for the purpose of tracing 

 the northern limits of alfalfa in Asia. L. .1. Briggs submitted a paper entitled 

 Grading in Agricultural .Judging Contests, in which a system of preparing 

 grading tables was presented. Disseminating New Varieties of Plants, by 

 C. W. Ward, was also read by title. 



Reports of committees. — A verbal report on cooperation in animal breed- 

 ing was submitted by W. M. Hays. Special mention was made of the project 

 for the determination of the value of the dual purpose cow, as represented by 

 the milking Shorthorns, now being carried out by the Minnesota Station in 

 cooperation with the Department of Agriculture. 



A verbal report on animal hybridization was submitted by W. J. Spillman. 

 The committee has devised a system of keeping records for cross-bred animals 

 intended for farmers and breeders generally. It has also inidertaken to collect 

 the literature relating to animal hybrids. Some results obtained by the applica- 

 tion of scientific knowledge to animal bi'eeding were noted, and the Mendelian 

 law was discussed. 



