40 JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE OF P. R. 



There are some differences shown in the frequency distributions 

 of these populations; however, seedling- canes are very much af- 

 fected by environmental influences, and no data are at hand to sliow 

 that frequency distributions of subserjuent generations of such groups 

 would show the same relation as tiiat shown here. .Moreover, it is 

 the individual seedlings that are of interest, as new varieties ai-e 

 formed by asexual multiplication of these: and even though we 

 assume the above to he the case, we still cannot say tliat the chances 

 of selecting superior seedlings are greater in a percentage group 

 showing a relatively high frequency distribution, than a low one. 

 until it is shown that the individual ranges of variation of subse- 

 quent generations of the separate seedlings of these groups bear 

 a relation corresponding to that of these first generation seedlings. 

 The coefficients of variability of these groups of seedlings range 

 from 9.6 = .934 of the D-117 parentage group of 1916, to 12.5 ± .873 

 of the Crystallina X D-109 parentage group, the latter being a little 

 greater than that of the D-448 parentage group, wliicli was 12.4 .959. 

 Statistics of different years are prol)ably not comparable, though it 

 is notable that the coefficient of variability of the D-llT canes was 

 the same for both years. In both years the coefficient of variability 

 of the D-117 canes was the smallest, and in the 1916 seedlings those 

 of D-448 and Crystallina X D-109 were about the same. The number 

 of individuals in any group is not sufficiently large, and the data at 

 hand are not sufficient to allow conclusions to be drawn. The table 

 is included with the other data at hand at this tiiue. uuiinly for the 

 purpose of pointing out a line of work which uuiy give results when 

 it has been completed. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



1. Seedling sugar canes in their fii-st genej-ation show a degree 

 of resemblance to the varieties from which they were produced. 



2. Till' results of the woi-k at this Station indicate that resem- 

 blance of coloi' is more marked than that of any otliei- cliarader- 

 istie. 



3. There is wider variation in seedlings than in canes prodnce.l 

 from cuttings of the same variety. 



4. TIk; greatest variation in seedlings produced from tassels of 

 a single variety is in the size and form of the plants, and of theit- 

 component parts. 



5. Certain varieties, produce better seedlings tlian others. 



6. Abnormalities are common in seedling canes, whereas in canes 



