428 



The Journal of Heredity 



In the case of white oak the tree 

 selected was merely identified by the 

 contestant as "oak." but undoubtedly 

 should be referred to Oiierais alba. 

 A white oak larger than this has been cut 

 for himbcr near Wilmington, Ohio. This 

 tree measured 23 feet in circumference 

 and was found to be 500 years of age.^ 

 Before drawing scientific conclusions 

 from these data, account must be taken 

 of the fact that the specimens are not 

 necessarily the largest individuals of 

 their kind, also it may be that the 

 territory included by the different 

 localities may be influenced by the 

 channels through which the contest 

 was brought to public notice. However, 

 the absence of large trees from the 

 western limit of the range of the species 

 may be regarded as significant and, of 

 course, should be \'iewcd in the light cjf 

 our knowledge of the fact that eastern 

 hardwoods are migrating into the tree- 

 less prairie region. The occurrence of 

 large s]jecimcns at the very limit of 

 growth would tend to indicate either 

 that the range was receding or else that 

 there occurs at that place a sudden 

 modification of conditions favorable to 

 the growth of the species, or that the 

 species is confronted by some physical 

 or other barriers to its range extension. 



The location of the largest elm in 

 West Virginia is of interest. The New 

 England States have long been regarded 

 as producing the most remarkable exam- 

 ples of this species. It is not improbaVjlc 

 that a s|)ecimen may be discov^ered 

 which will restore the ])restige of the 

 New England elm. The location of 

 the largest chestnut and yellow ]joi>lar 

 in North Carolina is not unexpected, as 

 some of the most magnificent stands of 

 hardwood trees are found in the Southern 

 Appalachians. The forests here are in 



virgin condition and this o]K^rates to the 

 advantage of big trees in that the\' have 

 been spared from the woodman's axe 

 and to their disadvantage in that if left 

 standing, unsurroundcd Ijy the crowding 

 forest, they will attain greater lateral 

 dimensions. The location of the large 

 black walnut in New Jersey is of interest. 

 The nearness of the eastern limit of its 

 range, however, is not significant on 

 account of the ph\'sical barrier of the 

 Atlantic Ocean. 



It must be understood that this arti- 

 cle, to the preparation of which only a 

 few hours could be given, can do no 

 more than merely hint at the results of 

 scientific value which will flow from the 

 American Genetic Association's contest. 

 In connection with the work of this 

 office on the geograjjhical distribution of 

 trees many local problems will arise 

 which can be more readily solved by 

 reference to the photograjjhs and letters 

 which have been very kindly made 

 available for reference through the 

 courtesy of the association, than by any 

 other way. The ultimate scientific 

 value of these data, however, depends 

 upon whether or not public interest in 

 big trees ceases with the conclusion of 

 this contest. As a basis for the actual 

 determination of the largest individual 

 among hardwood trees, and of the 

 largest representative of every tree 

 species, the data secured will prove of 

 immense value. If readers will be 

 good enough to continue to call the 

 American Genetic Association's atten- 

 tion to the occurrence of notable trees, 

 giving all available information on their 

 history, condition and size, they will 

 be rendering valuable assistance in our 

 ])ursuance of these scientiiic in\-estiga- 

 tions. 



' An interesting account of this tree with data on its Ufe historv and the varialion in llie number 

 of annual rings to the incli from the center to the outer surface is to be found in the National 

 Coopers Journal, Philadelphia, July, 190), pp. 1, 2. 



Plant Breeding in South Carolina 



Practical work is the rule at the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, 

 including V^reeding new varieties of cotton resistant to cotton wilt, breeding cotton 

 for ]>rolificness and a longer, stronger stajjle, breeding new types of rolundifolia 

 grapes and apples. 



