iU Feb., 1917. J Science and Froduction. 105 



The Freuch Government sent a scientific commission to America to 

 study the pest on the spot. This commission systematically examined 

 the whole problem, and came to the following conclusions: — 



1. The phylloxera rarely, if ever, attacked the leaves of the 



European vines. 



2. Phylloxera formed galls on the leaves of American vines, but the 



roots were immune from attack. 



3. Therefore, if the European vines were grafted on the roots of an 



American vine, the resultant plant would be immune from 

 attack. 



A great deal of work had to be done to decide which varieties of 

 American vines would act as the best stocks. After a great deal of 

 systematic experimental work, Riparia and Rupestris were selected as 

 I he best stocks. Riparia was ultimately thrown out, because though 

 resistant it was not lasting. 



Hybridization was also used as a method of creating new types of 

 vines tliat would lie immune from attack. Rigorous selection was applied 

 to these crossbreds, and each hybrid had to pass four tests. They had 

 to be — 



1. vigorous, 



2. resistant to phylloxera, 



3. adaptable to the soil for which they were required, and 



4. possess affinity, i.e., ability to carry different scions. 



Only very few survived the test. Thus, out of thousands of Rupestris 

 crosses only two were selected as thoroughly satisfactory stocks, namely, 

 3306 and 3309. These are now largely used in Europe as resistant stocks. 



The Babcock Test for Butter Fat. 



The simple method formulated by Dr. Babcock, of the Wisconsin 

 Experiment Station, for determiuiug the fat content oT irilk and cream 

 has changed the outlook of the dairying industry. Not only has it 

 enabled butter factories to use an exact method for payment of milk and 

 cream according to quality of tlie product, but it is of incalculable value 

 in improvement of the dairy herds of the State. 



A new standard for breeding is placed before every dairyman — the 

 breeding of cattle that will produce the highest quantity of butter fat 

 per annum, and not merely the highest quantitv of milk. The simple 

 and rapid method of determination of the fat percentage of the milk 

 provides the dairyman with a means of detecting the unprofitable mem- 

 bers of his herd, and enables him to build up a herd of efficient butter 

 fat manufacturers. The motto of the dairyman should be, " Breed, 

 feed, weed." Breed from the best types of cattle. Feed them well, for, 

 after all, the cow is in essence a milk factory transforming the raw 

 material — food — into milk. Weed — that is, ascertain the quantity of 

 butter fat produced by each individual for the year, and cujl out those 

 below the standard. Herd testing will bring about a great revival i>- 

 the dairying industry in Victoria, and a firm scientific basis for herd 

 improvement has been provided by the discovery of the simple method 

 of determining the fat content of a sample of milk. 



Federation Wheat. 



Most important of all is the progress made possible by the recent 

 discoveries in genetica. In 1901, just at the time De Vries, Correns, 



