16 



BULLETIN 1092, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 



eight basal branches and reaches maturity in 65 to 75 days. Under 

 favorable conditions it does not grow more than 60 to 65 centimeters 

 in total height. This pink-floTvered flax is a form of Linum usita- 

 tissimum L. and is distinctly different from the red -flowered orna- 

 mental known as Linum grandiflor-um ruhrum Desfl. 



The method of selection followed in this cross has been to rogue 

 out all short pink-flowered flax plants in the second generation and 

 to select all tall pink flax plants. The rest of the hybrid seed has 

 been lumped together. In order to. secure a good type it is neces- 

 sary to select so as to eliminate the low count of seeds per boll, the 

 short stem length, and the large extent of basal branching, all fea- 

 tures which are characteristic of the pink-flowered parent. One of 

 the tall pink flaxes selected in the second generation has bred true 

 in the third and fourth generations and is almost half again as tall 

 as the pink-flowered parent. (Fig. 5.) It has the reduced branch- 

 ing habit and late maturity of the tall blue-flowered parent combined 

 with the pink flower color of the short parent. Since all commercial 

 flaxes hare blossoms of either blue or white, the color of this tall 

 pink-flowered selection will serve to identify it in the field and 

 simplify crop inspection. 



INSTRUMENTS DEVISED FOR USE IN BREEDING FLAX. 



Plant-hreeder'^s forceps. — The use of a plant-breeder's forceps 

 (Fig. 6) facilitates the work of removing the stamens. This is 



worn on the finger when 

 in use. The brass ring to 

 Avhich the short arm is sol- 

 dered is cut obliquely, so 

 that the movement of the 

 first joint of the forefinger 

 will be unrestricted. The 

 pressure of the thumb on 

 the forefinger closes the tip 

 against the stamen. In 

 order that the tips may 

 point at right angles to 

 the direction at which 

 the pressure is exerted, 

 the arms of the forceps 

 are bent. Mr. William 

 Snyder, formerly of the 

 Porto Eico Agricultural 

 Experiment Station at Mayaguez, P. R., assisted materially in de- 

 signing this instrument. 



Fig. 6. — Plant-breeder's forceps. 



