166 



The inconstant character of grasses has proven a handicap in breeding 

 work, although a great many individuals have been isolated which were 

 sufficiently constant from the beginning for all practical purposes. 



Resu l ts Of Timothy a large number of forms have been studied. Twelve to 



obtained with fifteen of these have reached the large comparative trials where results, while 

 grasses. yet incomplete, tend to show that progress is being made in various direc- 



tions. The characters which are sought for in this plant are: long and stiff 

 stems, rich, long and broad leaves and a quick abundant after-growth. In 

 other words a high yield of fodder is desired. 



Photo by L. H. X. 

 FIG. LIV. Dr. Witte examining individual plants of Orchard Grass for constancy. 



Of Orchard Grass twelve sorts have qualified for admission to the large 

 comparative trials. The characters which are sought for in this grass are : 

 perfect hardiness, high yielding power, abundant after-growth, ability to 

 withstand the attacks of rust and above all, late development. Great 

 differences have been found between different strains in regard to the latter 

 point. Thus a sort bearing the number 633 matures about 14 days earlier 

 than another strain registered as No. 22. The work with this grass has thus 

 far resulted in the isolation of a new sort (No. 42} which has proven to be 

 perfectly hardy, high yielding (in 1908 trial plots gave 20% higher yield than 

 did the best Danish commercial sample), appears to be resistant against rust 

 and is from 10 to 12 days later maturing than the common commercial 

 variety (81, p. 328). 



Of Meadow Fescue four new sorts, together with a sample of commercial 

 seed from Denmark, were sown in comparative test plots in 1909. In 1910 

 one of these (No. 2J) gave about 20% higher yield than the Danish stock. 



