42 



The system 

 of exclusive 

 Form 

 Separation 

 abandoned 



From the above table it will be seen that contrary to the theory of 

 Schribaux, the most productive strains have in this case at least the greatest 

 number of head-bearing straws per plant, and a considerably smaller 

 number of sterile or non head-bearing shoots. The best strains have also 

 shorter and finer stems and produce a higher proportion of grain to straw. 

 They are thus less striking than those which proved actually less productive. 

 Further evidence is thus provided regarding the uncertain relationship 

 existing between morphological characters and the real worth of a given 

 sort. Of greater importance is thickness of stand, even development of stolons 

 and heads or panicles and the general appearance of the crop as regards vigor 

 and freedom from disease. 



The above investigations seem to indicate clearly that the practical 

 value of a sort cannot be judged indirectly by means of botanical marks or 

 morphological characters with any degree of certainty or reliability. Neither 

 can so-called "ideal" plants be located with assurance in a mixed population 

 on this basis. To quote Nilsson-Ehle (45, p. 311), "the great difficulty in 

 breeding is to decide whether or not a form constitutes an advance. That 

 this can be decided only in a purely empirical way, through long continued 

 practical experiments is essentially what makes breeding work so long." 



These conclusions served to introduce a second method of applying the 

 pedigree system at Svalof . Thus instead of basing the isolation of superior 

 individuals purely upon botanical or morphological characters as was formerly 

 the case, the principle has become to select a large number of individuals without 

 special regard to such characters. The valuation of these individuals in so far 

 as yield is concerned, rests upon yielding tests conducted with the greatest 

 possible care over a series of years. 



In order that this direct judgment might be more effective and more 

 quickly accomplished local sort trials and special forms of comparative tests 

 have been introduced. This change in method has naturally rendered 

 breeding work much more difficult and exacting, especially where yield is 

 the chief consideration. The alacrity and assurance with which an individual 

 or sort was formerly rejected when failing to measure up to certain ideals in 



