Richmond: Jones, Plant Breeder 



105 



'Mediterranean 

 Russian Velvet 

 Lancaster 



JJjjhrid 



Early White 

 Leadei 



Hyhrid, 

 Go Ide n Cro s s.Jr 



Unhricb 



^jorlv Genesee Giant 



THE GENEALOGY OF A FAMOUS WHEAT 



Here the complexity of the plant breeder's 

 work is somewhat visualized. From this 

 series of crosses Jones' Genesee Giant was de- 

 rived. No indication is here given of the 

 great number of unsuccessful crosses made at 

 the same time. Mr. Jones was able to hasten 

 the development of desirable kinds by the pro- 

 cess of root separation; from a single seed 

 sown in August 1888, 27 pounds of wheat were 

 harvested the following summer. (Fig. 4.) 



and grain of a fine milling quality in a 

 compact head." 



In 1890, No. 8, or American Bronze, 

 a variety adapted to poor or light land 

 was catalogued. This hardy sort was 

 a parent of some of the most desirable 

 later varieties. Two superior varieties 

 appeared in 1892, Early White Leader 

 and Early Genesee Giant. The first 

 mentioned was the result of a compli- 

 cated composite cross, and was pro- 

 nounced by millers "one of the whitest 

 flour-making sorts grown." 



In all his cross-fertilization of wheat 

 Mr. Jones aimed to accomplish certain 

 definite results, viz., to originate varie- 

 ties best suited to a given soil; those 

 best suited to certain climatic condi- 

 tions; to secure increased size of spike 

 and strength of straw; to secure those 

 immune to attack of weevil and rust; 

 and also to secure high gluten content. 



In 1893, Mr. Jones removed to New- 

 ark, N. Y., in order to test the effect of 

 change of soil upon his breeding stock. 

 Pride of Genesee, having for one parent 



THE DISTRIBUTION OF JONES' RED 

 WAVE WHEAT 



In 1919 more than a million acres of Red Wave 

 wheat were grown in the United States. On a 

 basis of ten bushels per acre, at $2.50 per bu- 

 shel, the crop was worth twenty-five million 

 dollars. Had the originator received a royalty 

 of only one hundredth of one percent, he would 

 have an income of $2,500 from this variety 

 alone. On such a basis the originator of two or 

 three varieties of commercial importance would 

 be financially independent, and able to give his 

 whole time, and an unworried mind to his work. 

 (Fig. 5.) 



the old reliable Jones' Winter Fife, was 

 introduced in 1893. It was narned for 

 the County in which it was originated, 

 as was Early Genesee Giant. 



In 1894, three new varieties were 

 listed in the United States and Canada, 

 (1) Bearded Winter Fife, a variety 

 believed to possess increased gluten 

 content, (2) White Seeded Golden 

 Cross, recommended for dry or gravelly 

 soil, and (3) Long Amber, recom- 

 mended as "The Ice and Waterproof" 

 wheat. These were all results of com- 

 posite crossing of Mr. Jones' hybrids. 



Early Arcadian introduced in 1895 

 was a beautiful wheat named for the 

 town of Arcadia, N. Y., in which it 

 was originated. It was a cross of Early 

 Genesee Giant and Early Red Clawson 

 and partook of all the good qualities of 

 both parents. 



In 1896, Oatka Chief, a wheat recorn- 

 mended for cobblestone land such as is 

 found in the lake region, appeared. It 

 was given the Indian name for its place 

 of origin on the bank of the Oatka. 



