248 Early and Late Mipeiiing in an Oat Cross 



These dates, while giving the time when the whole mass of each 

 variety was mature, take no account of the extremes of the ripening 

 periods. It will be seen, however, that there is a reasonably large 

 gap between them, and it may be stated here as well that all the 

 individuals of a sowing of the early parent are always completely ripe 

 some time before the first Hopetown panicles can be harvested. There 

 is no overlapping whatever. 



Fig. 1. For explanation see p. 249. 

 In some respects Mesdag has distinct affinities with the wild oat, 

 A.fatua, which may possibly figure in the pedigree. The panicles are 

 extremely long and with a great drooping spread. They are borne on 

 a tall weak straw, as in the wild oat, but the considerably larger and 

 heavier grain makes it appear even weaker. The lower grain in each 

 spikelet is strongly awned and of a dark brown colour which resembles 

 that of the wild oat in that it masks a grey factor. By way of contrast, 

 however, hairiness is absent and the grain is of exceptionally fine size 

 and plumpness. 



