78 



THE INHERITANCE OF CHARACTERS IN RICE 



Table I. 

 Amount of natural cross-fertilization. 



It appears that the amount of crossing varies considerably with the 

 variety, as would be expected from the variation in time of dehiscence of the 

 anthers. 



The last two lines of the table show the amount of crossing taking place 

 between two varieties growing on adjacent plots. No. (1) represents 50 heads 

 of Rascadam taken from the line of contact, that is accually commingling, 

 with another variety. No. (2) represents 50 heads taken at a distance of three 

 feet from the line of contact. That the amount of crossing is practically the 

 same for both is no doubt due to the fact that the prevalent wind, which is 

 fairly constant at the time of flowering, was blowing towards the Rascadam 

 from the other variety. Further experiments are necessary to determine the 

 amount of crossing taking place over greater distances. 



(6) Method of seleing. 



The method of selfing adopted has been to cover the entire upper portion 

 of the plant with a bag made of fine mull. The bag reaches from well above 

 the fully developed heads down far enough to include the tops of young tillers 

 in shot blade. The latter can thus grow up into the bag before the panicle 

 emerges. In this way the whole of the flowers are selfed, with the exception 

 of such already set flowers as have to be removed at the time of bagging. 



The bag is supported inside by two bamboo stakes standing vertically, 

 one on each side of the plant, to a height a little above that of the developed 

 panicles. It is closed loosely at the bottom by means of a pin on each side 

 between the bamboos and the plant. 



