120 



consist of all the species and varieties so far obtainable. These must 

 first be tested for identity before any extensive breeding operations can 

 be performed. I'hysiological tests have been made which indicate great 

 differences in the toxicity of some of the more accurately named species and 

 varieties. Though more strictly biennial in haliit. it has lieen found possi- 

 i)Ie to bring a numl)cr of the varieties into Mower the same year from seed, 

 thereby shortening any breeding (Jiierations ]»y one year. 



It lias been interesting and vahialile to follow the effects of Indiana 

 soil and climate upon the medicinal value of Cannabis Indica. This is an 

 imparted drug coiisistiiiir of the flowerint.' tojis of Cannaliis sativa L. It 

 always contains more or less seeds of high i>ercentage germination. Re- 

 Ideated tests liave been made upon material obtained from iilants grown 

 from seed found in shipments of hlirh testing drug. Without exception 

 these tests have shown a decrease of from l(i'/t to W/c in value as com- 

 pared with the original shipments from which the seeds were obtained. 

 One strain has been continued under cultivation in the same locality and 

 u])on the same soil for four consecutive years, and its value as indicated 

 l)y ]>hysiological tests has fluctuated between 40'/^ and (]'}%. This fluctua- 

 tion has be<-n intermittent, aud not in the nature of a regular aniuial in- 

 crease or decrease. During this lime, liowever, a mariicd imiirovement has 

 resulted in the size and character of the inflorescence. I'.y selection this 

 lias become beaviei'. more coinpaci. larger and less leafy. A dwai'f form 

 has also resulted wliicji would greatly simiilify the process of collection. 



Figures No. I. II. Ill and \\ show some of the experimental iilots, and 

 convey some idea of tlie scale upon which the work is being done. Large 

 luunbei-s of plants are being used, and these are observed throughout the 

 entire gi-owing season before any selections are made. In this manner 

 the entire life history of the plant from the earliest seedling st^ige to 

 maturity is made 1o serve as a record fiom which intelligent selections 

 can l>e made. 



Dcpartnienl of I'ot'ini; 



Eli Lillii tt- Ct/tiiiiiii'ij, , nm(ni(ii)i>Ux. I ml. 



