31 



The new method being based on the isolation and separate culture of Restoration 

 distinct botanical forms there was necessitated a most careful study of these f t} ' 

 throughout their entire life history. This fact served to restore the personal 

 element which the mechanical system had sought in vain to displace. The 

 various classificators, automatic weighing machines and other mechanical work. 

 devices to which so much importance had formerly been attached were largely 

 dispensed with. The importance of specialization being more fully recog- 

 nized, additional experts were employed and allotted certain crops as their 

 specialty. All their attention and study was to be devoted to the improve- 

 ment of those crops for the success of which they were made responsible. 

 Dr. Hans Tedin was engaged in 1891 as specialist for peas and vetches, Mr. 

 Phr. Bolin was allotted the barleys in 1892*, while Prof. Nilsson himself 

 kept wheat and oats as his specialty until 1900 when, on account of the time 

 required to attend to the duties of a large and growing institution, this work Specializa- 

 was handed over in its entirety to Dr. H. Nilsson-Ehle who has continued it t/lon f the 

 since that time. Rye was added to the list later with Mr. J. N. WalldSn w< 

 as specialist. This gentleman subsequently resigned and was succeeded by Mr. 

 Erik Ljung, who occupies the position at the present time. More recently 

 (1904) potato breeding has been taken up with Mr. J. F. Lundberg as specialist. 

 In 1905 grasses and clovers were added to the list, Dr. Hernfrid Witte being 

 appointed head of this department in 1907. About 1909 work in the breed- 

 ing of field roots was initiated with Mr. Ivar Karlsson in charge. 



Correlation or the Association of Characters, 



With the introduction of the new system each specialist set to work to 

 study his plants thoroughly. All botanical and morphological characters, 

 down to the minutest detail, were investigated and elaborate annotations 

 were made and arranged in order. If certain visible characters were indica- 

 tive of industrial value as was then supposed, it was obviously the first con- 

 cern of the breeder to determine such and to use the knowledge so acquired 

 in 'the isolation of new mother plants. The degree of constancy displayed 

 by the various pure cultures in respect of the development of these characters 

 seemed to indicate clearly that the latter must offer a reliable basis of dis- 

 tinction. Such an assumption seemed natural and logical and served moreover 

 to make the way appear clear and relatively simple. 



As time passed many interesting conclusions came to be drawn as to the 

 relationship which was believed to exist between certain external characters between 

 and industrial qualities. A few instances may here be given. In oats different pos flfc, n O f 

 ' pure lines ' or strains may often be distinguished by the character of the branches in 

 panicle. In those forms having spreading panicles four main types may be oat panicle 

 defined thus: (1) Stiff, upright panicle; (2) Panicle pyramid-like with long, and V ield - 

 slender weakly rising branches; (3) Widely spreading panicle and (4) 

 Panicle with branches weak and drooping (See Figs. 5 and 6). In addition 

 to these four branching types, the common side-oat type, originally classified 



* Bolin resigned his position at Svalof in 1900, when Tedin took over the barley work in addition 

 to that which he already had with peas and vetches. 

 3 



