AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 331 



type of seed, and the sterility of most of the hybrids would probably indicate 

 that it is not to be so considered. 



The production of varieties of wheat possessing a high degree of baking 

 strength, C. E. Saundkrs {IV. Conf. Intcrnat. G6n6tiqiic Paris, Compt. Rend, ct 

 Raps., 1911, pp. 290-300). — A description is given of work that has been carried 

 on at the Canada Experimental Farms in an attempt to produce early wheats 

 of a greater degree of strength than those commonly planted. 



It was found that strength can not be considered a simple Mendelian char- 

 acter. It depends on numerous factors and is extremely complex, and its in- 

 heritance is said to be still far from being understood. 



A biometrical study of the seeds of the genus Brassica, P. Monnet (IV. 

 Conf. Intcrnat. Gen4tiquc Paris, Compt. Rend, et Raps., 1911, pp. 406-^15). — 

 The author gives the results of an attempt at a biometrical classification of 8 

 species and varieties of Brassica, preliminary to a study of variability and 

 heredity in these plants. 



The development of disease-resistant varieties of plants, W. A. Orton {IV. 

 Conf. Internat. Gen6tique Paris, Compt. Rend, et Raps., 1911, pp. 24^-265, figs. 

 9). — A description is given of some of the work of this Department in the breed- 

 ing of cotton, cowpeas, and melons for disease resistance. 



Experiments with peas in one variety of which the seeds adhere to each 

 other, P. DE YiLMORiN {IV. Conf. Internat. G^netique Paris, Compt. Rend, et 

 Raps., 1911, pp. 368-372, figs. 2)j — The author crossed a variety of peas charac- 

 terized by the adherence of the peas in the pod with other varieties to determine 

 whether this character of adhesion would be inherited. A study of the third 

 generation shows that there is apparently some connection between the factors 

 for type of foliage, pigment, and the adhering character. 



Variability in seeds, B. D. Halsted et al. {Xew Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1912, pp. 

 386-395, pis. 3). — A study was made of soy beans, pea beans, cowpeas, and Lima 

 beans to determine the relation of location in the pod to the size of the seed. 

 In the soy beans it was found that the tip seeds in the three-seeded pods were 

 the heaviest and the middle seeds next In the pea beans the seeds nearest the 

 middle of the pod were the heaviest and those at the end the lightest, the basal 

 ones being the lightest of all. In the cowpeas the middle seeds were the largest 

 and those at the tip the lightest. In the Lima beans all the basal seeds were the 

 lightest in their respective sets, the tip seeds being the heaviest in the two-seeded 

 and lightest in the four-seeded pods. 



A study was also made of position and desirability of seeds, these being 

 grouped according to seeds of average size, exhibiting plumpness and maturity, 

 these being taken as the standard, and those below the average, which were con- 

 sidered imperfect. In the soy beans and in the Lima beans with a single excei)- 

 tion the largest percentage of standard seed was from the tip portion of the 

 pod and in the cowpeas from the middle position of the pod. 



Additional notes are given on the position, attachment*, and development of 

 the seed in the pods of a number of leguminous plants. 



Study of the hypocotyl in the field, B. D. Halsted et al. (Xeio Jersey Stas. 

 Rpt. 1912, pp. 395-397, pi. 1). — A note is given on investigations begun to deter- 

 mine the inheritance of length of hypocotyl in field grown plants. This work 

 has been taken up with soy beans, pea beans, and sunflowers, and the material 

 collected for further study. 



The study of the hypocotyls of some root crops, B. D. Halsted et al. {New 

 Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1912, pp. 397, 398, pi. 1).—A brief report is given of a study 

 of the hypocotyl or radish plants, in which the development of the hypocotyl is 

 traced from the seedling stage to the mature root. 



I 



