540 EXPERIMENT STATION HKCORD. 



(iood rosiilts wore obtiiincd ])y the use of !i wiiKl-hrcuk 20 ft. hii^h. 

 This allows access of lig-ht hut chocks the wind and j)rovonts oA'apora- 

 tioii. Pineapples grown inuhM- sha(h» arc lar<j;(M- and the frnit is more 

 tender. 



H. J. Webber presented a paper on the growing of tobacco and 

 })ineapples under shade. Experiuients in shading to])acco in Connec- 

 ticut have shown that the ])crcentage of lanceolate leaves best adapted 

 for use as wrappers is considerably increased by shading. Experi- 

 ments ai-(^ IxMiig made for the purpose of o])taining a race of tobacco 

 which will give the desired texture. In a discussion of the subject of 

 shading the fact was brought out that the use of lath lowers the tem- 

 perature surrounding the plats, while cheese cloth has the opposite 

 effect. 



V. A. Clark discussed the subject of Seed Selection According to 

 Specific Gravit}^. Experiments were made on wheat, grape, and vari- 

 ous other seeds. A series of solutions was arranged of different den- 

 sity for the purpose of testing seeds. Variations in specific gravity 

 were found in closel}' related plants. A correlation was noted between 

 the size and the specific gravity of the seeds, except in the case of the 

 seeds of egg-plant, in which species the largest seeds had a low spe- 

 cific gravit3\ In tomatoes it was found that dark seeds are of a lower 

 specific gravity than white seeds. A correlation was also noted between 

 specific gravitj'^, rapidit}' of germination, and viabilit}^ of seeds. Peas 

 of the low specific gravity were found to be soft, with poorl}' devel- 

 oped cotyledons. Buckwheat of low specific gravity showed a loose 

 connection between the kernel and seed coats. In general, heav}" seeds 

 of all species are of high protein contents. 



Several other papers of this society were presented at a joint ses- 

 sion with the American Breeders' Association. 



PLANT AND ANIMAL BREEDING. 



An organization of plant and animal breeders was effected, to be 

 known as the American Breeders' Association. A constitution and 

 bj^-laws were also adopted and a large programme was presented, 

 including the following- papers: 



W. Saunders presented an account of wheat ))reeding in Canada, 

 Advantage was taken of Russian investigations, during which it was 

 found that certain varieties of wheat matured considerably earlier than 

 the average \arieties. Ladoga wheat was imported from Russia and 

 crossed with Red Fife. Other varieties were also imported from 

 Russia and India from low and high altitudes. The Preston wheat, 

 obtained by crossing Ladoga and Red Fife, ripens earlier than Red 

 Fife and yields better. Later a ])ald variety called Stanley was 

 obtained. Experts in England and Minneapolis score Red Fife, Stan- 

 lev and Preston about the same. Great increase in the Pfluten content 



