“PLANT BREEDING IN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE” 3809 
entirely to the clover, and does not touch grass or other components of our 
pastures ; but the extent to which it affected the clover crops at the time I 
refer to it is impossible to realise. The late Sir John Bennet Lawes had 
a little plot in his grounds which was free from clover-sickness for thirty- 
five years, but at last it succumbed, and Sir Henry Gilbert, the dis- 
tinguished chemist, believed that this was due to clover-sick soil. He 
investigated the soil and discovered thousands of Sclerotinia, by which 
future crops would have been utterly destroyed. I think we have got a 
lesson from Dr. Smith which we should try to put into practice in our 
own country. 
The President: I am sure Mr. Carruthers’s remarks find an echo in 
our hearts, and we thank the Government of the United States, who are 
the pioneers in this matter. We shall do well to follow them. 
Mr. F. W. Moore, V.M.H., asked whether the tobacco alluded to by 
Dr. Smith was a local tobacco, or could it be used in all tobacco-growing 
soils ? 
Dr. Smith: I do not know that I can answer that question fully. 
Mr. Geo. Gordon, V.M.H.: We have for many years past endeavoured 
to grow maize in this country as a vegetable, but with very little success 
indeed. But last year a friend of mine obtained some varieties of maize 
from America without name. Possibly they may be some of the hybrids 
to which Dr. Smith has referred. They are to-day growing amazingly, 
and are producing most satisfactory crops. I had hoped to be able to 
grow a selection so as to exhibit them at this Conference. I do feel that 
America has done excellent work. 
Dr. Smith: The cotton fields are now covered with cotton. Fields 
which a few years ago were worthless are now covered with good cottons. 
The President: When I was present at the Hybridisation Conference 
in New York I saw the striking photographs illustrating the work of 
Mr. Orton. I regret that Dr. Webber has not been able to attend this 
meeting, but I know that we will all agree that Dr. Smith has been 
an excellent substitute. 
Dr. Hansen suggested that the results in the case of tobacco were 
obtained purely by inbreeding. 
The President: That undoubtedly is the secret of the whole thing. 
[See also pages 66 and 67.| 
