100 



Before harvest in 1910 seed from small multiplication plots of each of 

 6 of the most promising pedigrees of 1909 was sown in as many large com- 

 parative trials. These will probably be reduced to 2 or 3 in 1911 on the basis 

 of yield. 



Experience has shown that forms which are sufficiently constant as 

 regards the special characters sought for can usually be isolated and 

 admitted into the large comparative yielding trials within five generations 

 from the cross. 



Photo by L. H. N. 



FIG. XXII. View of Experimental Grounds for spring grains in 1910. Old home of 



Birger Welinder in distance. 



Local trials 

 and Branch 

 Stations. 



In order that an accurate idea of the value of a sort may be obtained, 

 local trials and branch stations are absolutely necessary. The soil and 

 climatic conditions at Svalof have not been found either the most satisfactory 

 or the most representative for many sorts. In barley particularly, an 

 unusually long time is required before an accurate estimate of the value of a 

 given sort even for the Province of Skane can be ascertained. While efforts 

 to overcome this difficulty have been made by laying a series of trial plots 

 at a more representative point in middle Sweden (near Balsta) yet this is not 

 considered nearly sufficient. "A necessary condition," says Tedin, (75 p. 215) 

 " in order that the work shall lead to results within reasonable time is that we lay 

 each year in different districts many parallel trials to those at Svalof, as a check 

 on the results obtained at the latter place. No matter how long a sort is tested 

 here, one can never draw a safe conclusion as to its suitability, for example, for 

 the barley districts of the Province of Ostergtdland." 



