EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 227 



occupied with crosses and hybrids {22'j plants). Some of the 

 crosses were grown in considerable numbers as, for example, 

 that of "Black Snake" upon "Round White" (2/29) ; "Black 

 Pekin" upon "Long White" (3/11); and "Long White" upon 

 "Dwarf Purple" (11/6) being represented by loi, 127 and 23 

 plants respectively ; while the blend hybrid of the "Scarlet Chi- 

 nese" (25/19) had 44 plants. 



The early portion of the season was unfavorable for the plants 

 but with the coming of the rains in August and the withholding 

 of the September frosts, a fair crop resulted. 



"black snake" upon "round white." 



Plate IV shows a set of fruits representing 22 plants of the 

 second generation (F 2 ) of the "Black Snake" (2) upon the 

 "Round White" (29). The fruits were arranged upon the basis 

 of form and, for photographic purposes, only partly grown speci- 

 mens were employed but when thus near to half-size they have 

 reached the general form of maturity. The series begins at i 

 which is from a plant with fruits most nearly resembling the 

 "Black Snake" parent. As the eye glances over the series, it 

 is seen that the breadth increases slightly and the length decreases 

 more rapidly until the specimen of the "Round White" parent is 

 reached at 22. 



A study of the fruits of loi plants, representing this cross, 

 does not reveal any grouping around parental forms or an in- 

 termediate that might be constructed mathematically between 

 them. This is a case where the fruit of the cross sometimes 

 exceeds that of either parent. The breeder may feel that the 

 ratio of breadth to length, 5 to 7 cm., as fairly constant in the 

 "Round White" when brought in vital touch with that of the 

 "Black Snake," 4 to 20 cm. is enlarged in both its dimensions. 

 In other words, the two factors of (i ) breadth and (2) length do 

 not act independently; that is, instead of an average of 4.5 by 

 13.5 cm. being approximated, an instance of the results is 6.5 

 by 9 cm., as shown at 20. A study of large numbers may bring 

 some rule to light that is active in such unions of diverse forms. 



When it comes to color, there is a more decided grouping 

 under four heads. Thus of the 21 (No. 22, a parent being ex- 

 cluded) in the plate, selected without regard to color, it is found 

 that the following scheme is represented : 



