15 



experimental evidence has accumulated and with it have come new ideas 

 and new modes of thinking, giving birth to new conclusions. The general 

 position held by the men at Svalof at the present time may therefore be sum- 

 med up in brief as follows: 



(a) A progressive system of plant improvement cannot be a one-sided system 

 but must embrace all possible methods of reaching the desired end. 



(b) Artificial hybridization provides an invaluable means of producing 

 superior combinations of characters (sorts) ivhich are not found in nature and 

 this method is now used largely at Sraldf for this purpose. 



(c) The old system of ' mass-selection' can still be of value in special cases 

 and has never been fully abandoned. 



(d) Superior strains may often be found in a mixed variety, but since 

 these need not necessarily possess striking botanical or morphological 

 characters, their isolation, on the basis of such characters, cannot safely be 

 effected. 



A careful study of the development of the work at Svalof since its in- 

 ception, is essential to a clear appreciation of the position as above expressed. 



II. THE SWEDISH SEED ASSOCIATION (General resume). 



The Swedish Seed Association was established in April 1886 on the initia- 

 tive of Birger Welinder,a keen, far-seeing farmer of independent means, operat- 

 ing a large farm near the village of Svalof. 



The aim of the Association, as indicated in the first section of its Con- 

 stitution, is " to work for the cultivation and development of improved sorts 

 of cereals and other crops and for the utilization-^ these sorts in Sweden and 

 in other countries." The Association further aims: 



(a) "To ascertain the value and suitability for our conditions of both 

 native and foreign sorts by means of carefully conducted experiments located 

 at different places." 



(b) "By means of careful breeding to seek to produce stock seed of 

 special value and to distribute it throughout the country." 



(c) "By means of exhibitions, literature and other suitable measures 

 to spread information throughout the country and encourage the general 

 use of good seed." 



The various circumstances and conditions which operated in bringing 

 this Association into existence are of more than passing interest. 

 They are cloeely interwoven with the social, economic and even the 

 political life of the country. They reveal an antiquated and unprogressive 

 system of land tenure, extravagant and dangerous methods in agriculture 

 and finally an industrial renaissance following upon a realization of the great 

 dangers to the nation of continued disregard of the first essentials of com- 

 mercial and industrial stability. 



While the Agriculture of Sweden is said to date back to the Stone Age, 

 Agriculture in that country may be said to have had its birth about 



Aim 



