34 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[ii Jan., 1909. 



EXPERIMENTAL WORK AT LONCIERENONG 

 AGRICULTURAL (OLLl^X4E. 



E. G. M. Gibson, Science A/as/cr. 



Wheat Selection. 



While main \alual>le varieties of wheats have been raised l)y crossing, 

 there is plenty of scope for improving varieties found suitable for a par- 

 ticular district, by careful selection. At the College last harvest, an experi- 

 ment commenced on these lines has already shown itself worth recording. 

 Dart's Imperial and Federation were chosen as l^einsf the best of the 

 various varieties under cultivation. Plants were selected for their 

 tillering and productive qualities, the preference being given to the largest 

 heads with the least number of unfertile florets. The average number of 

 unfertile florets in the general crop was four ; in selected ears of Federa- 

 tion, two: and of Dart's Imperial, one. 



SKLECTEU HEADS OF FEDERATION AND DART S IMPERIAL. 



In this manner two pounds weight of seed from each variety was 

 obtained and sown in plots last June under field conditions. The plants 

 liave made vigorous growth, flowered early, and developed ears wonderfully 

 true to type, the majority being full from base to tip. It mu.st be noted 

 that the selected ears were not phenomenal, but the best i)roduced_ in the 

 rrop, and as good as anv in the district. No attempt is made to raise new 

 varieties, and although the ])roce.ss of hybridisation is familiar to the 

 students, the seeds thus obtained are only grown for their experimental 

 interest. 



