CLASSIFICATION OF AMERICAN WHEAT VARIETIES. 17 



grown in the localities of the county where the correspondents 

 lived, but it was soon determined that all of the varieties grown 

 in the county were not included and that one or two reports from 

 each county did not give an accurate estimate of the proportionate 

 distribution of the different varieties. It was finally decided in 

 1919 to determine rather accurately the percentage each variety 

 formed of the total wheat crop of each county. A new schedule 

 was printed for this survey and about 70,000 were mailed. To the 

 more important wheat-growing counties as many as 30 to 40 ques- 

 tionnaires were sent, fewer being sent to counties less important 

 in wheat production. From the survey about 40,000 returns were 

 received. About 19,000 of these gave definite information, and 

 these results have been tabulated. In addition to the names of 

 varieties grown and the percentage each formed of the total wheat 

 crop, the questionnaires contained tabular spaces for descriptions 

 of varieties. From these descriptions the correct naming of the 

 variety was checked. Figure 1 shows a copy of one of the returned 

 schedules. The reports were edited before being tabulated and thus 

 many recognizable mistakes were corrected. The summary of these 

 reports revealed a large number of new names used for old varieties 

 and also brought to light several wheats distinctly different from 

 any of the varieties previously obtained. More than a thousand 

 letters were written to the correspondents, requesting samples and 

 additional information. A considerable number of additional 

 varieties were obtained in this way. 



The distribution of the different varieties shown in this publica- 

 tion was obtained from these surveys. The maps which illustrate 

 the distribution of the varieties were made on the basis of one dot 

 for every thousand acres or less in each county where the variety 

 was grown in 1919. 



VARIETAL NOMENCLATURE. 



Wheat varieties must be distinguished by names. These names 

 must be used frequently by agronomic workers, as well as by a host 

 of crop growers and crop users. The form and appropriateness 

 of these names, therefore, are of general interest. It is desirable 

 that they be short, simple, and appropriate, easily spelled and pro- 

 nounced. It also is desirable that, as far as possible, a single name 

 be accepted and used for each recognized variety. 



The multiplication of names and other designations for crop 

 varieties has already been carried to great extremes. The result- 

 ing confusion is very great, especially in wheat, where the number 

 of actual varieties is very large. In addition to the confusion of 

 names, many names are objectionable. Many varietal designations 

 are merely descriptive phrases which are often long and cumber- 

 95539°— 22— Bull. 1074 2 



