822 Fluctuations 



reduced by the injurious varietal mark of la- 

 cunae (Liickigkeit), the whole harvest will rap- 

 idly deteriorate by the selection of the largest 

 kernels from varieties which are not quite free 

 from this hereditary deficiency. 



In order to estimate the value of his rye- 

 plants, he gathers the seed of each one separate- 

 ly and sows them in rows. Each row corre- 

 sponds to a parent-plant and receives 200 or 150 

 seeds, according to the available quantity. In 

 this way from 700 to 800 parent-plants are 

 tested yearly. Each row is harvested sepa- 

 rately. The number of plants gives the aver- 

 age measure of resistance to frost, this 

 being the only important cause of loss. Then 

 the yield in grain and straw is determined 

 and calculated, and other qualities are taken 

 into consideration. Finally one or more groups 

 stand prominent above all others and are chosen 

 for the continuation of the race. All other 

 groups are wholly excluded from the ** elite," 

 but among them the best groups and the very 

 best individuals from lesser groups are consid- 

 ered adequate for further cultivation, in order 

 to produce the commercial product of the race. 

 As a matter of fact the rye of Von Lochow is 

 now one of the best varieties, and even sur- 

 passes the celebrated variety of Schlanstedt. It 

 was only after obtaining proof of the validity 



