CHAPTER IX 

 CEREAL IMPROVEMENT H YBRIDIZA TION 



COMPARED with the results of introductions and selec- 

 tions, very little improvement of cereals has been accom- 

 plished through hybridization in this country and Canada. 

 Much more proportionally has been done in that line in 

 other countries. Every year there is some addition to 

 our knowledge of principles and methods. 



214. Need of hybridization. While few successful 

 hybrids of cereals have been established, it is probable 

 that more attention will be given to the subject in the 

 future. Qualities very desirable or even necessary for a 

 particular district may be entirely lacking in varieties 

 which are, in other respects, admirably adapted to it. 

 In such an instance a recombination of characters, by 

 crossing the adapted variety with another having the 

 special character desired, may bring together in some one 

 of the progeny just the qualities wanted. For example, 

 rust-resistance is not strong in any of the wheats preferred 

 for bread flour, therefore crosses of such varieties with 

 very resistant ones of other groups are now under experi- 

 ment, with the aim of securing a good milling wheat that 

 is rust-resistant. So it is often desirable to add earliness 

 to the characteristics of a variety otherwise good. These 

 accomplishments are not generally considered as possible 

 otherwise than through hybridization, as it is not believed 

 that additional characters are acquired by selection. 



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