123 



1908 since which time it has obtained an unusually wide distribution. In 

 other countries, notably Holland and Canada* this sort has given excellent 

 results in experiments thus far conducted. 



Gold Rain presents a remarkable combination of good qualities being 

 relatively early yet a high yielder; it is very strong in the straw (See Fig. 

 33) , gives the highest weight per bushel of all sorts tested, is thin in the hull 

 and is moreover, capable of thriving on a surprising variety of soils. The 

 panicle is small and the kernels golden and not specially attractive in 

 appearance. On the average of ten years' trial at Ultuna it has stood 

 almost on a level in yield with Victory, but is recommended in preference to 

 the latter for the white oat districts of middle Sweden on account of its 

 earliness and suitability for poorer soils. 



Awnless Probstier as already explained, is a mass-selected sort yet it is 

 among the most productive of all sorts tested. It is especially valued because 

 of its ability to thrive under a great variety of conditions.** Like Gold Rain 

 it is a yellow or golden-grained sort and often difficult to distinguish from 

 the latter. It is a good stooler with tall but not specially strong straw. 



Many new lines were selected from old Probstier stock between 1903 

 and 1906, and of these not less than seven have been carried to the large 

 comparative trials where results thus far seem to indicate that one of these 

 at least may mark an advance over Victory in yield. 



Ligowo, obtained originally from Vilmorin of France, has proven a 

 valuable sort for certain soils and districts in Sweden. It is specially valued 

 for its earliness and high quality being yet unexcelled in regard to the latter. 

 It thrives best on fertile, vegetable moist soils. On dryer, higher soils it is 

 rather uncertain, the straw often being shorter and the kernels inclined to 

 thresh out easily when mature. The kernels are pure white, extra short and 

 plump with a low per cent hull and are usually awnless. It is a thin stooler, 

 with straw strong and of medium height. 



Several lines have been taken from this sort, but none can be said to 

 mark any advance over the original. In the light of present conceptions 

 of the phenomenon of variation the failure to discover better strains in 

 Ligowo is due to the fact that this sort is already a pedigree and does not, 

 therefore, contain hereditary variations. 



Svalofs' Dala (0924) is a pedigree sort out of the old variety Dala, com- 

 monly grown in Dalarne. This is a very early sort coming between Gold 

 Rain and Black Mesdag in this respect. It is found most suitable where 

 sorts such as Gold Rain can not be relied upon to mature, and has shown 

 itself superior in yield, but more especially in quality, to the old variety 



* See Canadian Seed Growers' Association, 6th Annual Report, 1910, p. 

 ** Arsredogorelse, Alamnna Svenska Utsadesaktiebolaget, 1910, p. 15. 



