PLANT BREEDING 101 



about twelve per cent, of sugar, but the best 

 strains of commercial beets contain as high as 

 fifteen to twenty per cent, of sugar, with a high 

 percentage purity. 



These illustrations are only a few of the 

 many that might be mentioned, such as the va- 

 rious forms of garden peas; the great difference 

 between the climbing and bush types of lima 

 beans; the various forms of cabbage, cauli- 

 flower, and brussels sprouts, all of which have 

 been produced from a common parent. 



The examples first mentioned are most inter- 

 esting because the results have been brought 

 about by efforts of men well known to present 

 day workers. The great mass of the forms 

 that have been preserved and are now included 

 in the trade lists have appeared as sports or 

 mutations, and have been preserved because of 

 their distinctive characters. 



During recent years many florists have de- 

 voted a portion of their thoughts and ef- 

 fort to the improvement of the plants with 

 which they were working, and as a result many 

 new and valuable varieties have been brought 

 out. For a number of years Mr. Arthur Cowie 

 has given special attention to the development 

 and establishment of new forms of gladiolus. 

 The results of his work are not measured 



