294 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



our nursery, where they have become the mothers of strains that 

 promise much for the winter wheat industry of the state.. Some 

 of these are now in our field plots and appear to retain their hardi- 

 ness to quite an extent, tho further trial is required to demonstrate 

 their real value. 



For the past three years we have had but little trouble from our 

 winter wheat winter-killing, either in nursery or field. In 1905-06 

 the nursery stock was severely injured, tho few of the most promis- 

 ing sorts were lost, by a freezing rain which entered the crown 

 of the plants and smothered them. While it was a severe trial, we 

 ■regard it as a blessing in disguise, as it has again given us the de- 

 sired opportunity to select the hardy individual plants and to more 

 effectively guard against losses from similar sources in the future. 



The surviving clover plants from a half acre field. They will be used as foundation 



for hardy varieties. 



While what I have said on the subject of hardiness may not 

 have much to do with horticultural plants, the principles are the 

 same, tho the method of application may be different. I realize 

 that it would take more land and longer time to produce apples, 

 plums and peaches than to produce wheat or flax. That there may 

 be more difficulty in guarding against cross-pollination and other 

 contaminating influences is true, .but the importance of large num- 

 bers from which to select is just as great, and where the selections 

 are under conditions of hardship and exposure the reward is just 

 as certain. 



The vital point in plant breeding is the opportunity for selection. 

 Many times this is found under natural conditions. If thus found, 

 it should be made use of. At times, cross-breeding may be resorted 

 to induce variation toward certain desired lines, but by far the 



