126 Journal of Agricultural Research voixx, No. a 



especially pronounced in Brassica nigra, Brassica besseriana, and Sinapis 

 alba. Swelling, however, has been observed in cabbage seed, Brassica 

 oleracea bullata gemmifera (40, p. 615 and table). 



5. The form and size of the palisade cells of the seed coat are similar 

 to those of the general type found in the colza group and differ more or 

 less strikingly from the true mustards. 1 



PLANTS 



1. The tendency to rosette-like growth of plants in the early foliage 

 stage, great in plants belonging to the colza group, was also observed in 

 the authors' material. With the exception of certain variations of Brassica 

 juncea, the authors have not observed a similar tendency in mustard 

 plants. 



2. The almost entire lack of hairs, especially pronounced in more 

 advanced plants, has been noted on the plants studied, as well as on other 

 plants of the colza group, a possible exception being Brassica rapa, 

 reported by Bailey. In contrast, the plants of mustards are more or less 

 distinctly hairy. 



3. The upper leaves of the flower stalk are stem-clasping, as is general 

 in the colza group ; no distinctly stem-clasping leaves have been observed 

 in plants of true mustards. 



4. The pedicels (stalks of the flowers) of Chinese, as well as those of 

 other colzas, average well over % inch in length, while those of the 

 mustard flowers average less than % inch: 



5. The greater length of the pods of Chinese and other colzas, often 

 more than 2 inches, including the beak, frequently distinguishes them 

 from the mustards, which, as a rule, have shorter pods, averaging usually 

 less than 2 inches. Bailey (2), however, reports short pods for Pe-tsai. 2 



CHEMICAL STUDIES 



GENERAL COMPOSITION OF SEEDS 



The chemical studies included the general composition of a number 

 of samples of the seed, as well as a more detailed examination of the 

 fixed and volatile oils. Table I shows the composition of typical samples 

 of the seed. 



Judging from the composition of the seed and the low amount and 

 character of the volatile oil yielded, the authors believe that the pressed 

 oil cake will be a very good feeding material. 



1 For further details and comparison with other cruciferous seeds, the key given in Winton (5/, p. 173-180) 

 may be consulted. 



2 For further information and comparison, see Bailey (j), Howard et al. (77), and textbooks on taxonomy. 



