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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XLV 



o = dark mottling. 



The ootes shown in Fig. 3 give the following information: 

 The cross in number 272 which is shown by a separate list and 

 by a neighboring guide card to be Prolific Black Wax X Mo- 

 hawk. This cross was one of those made in 1910 (Series 1910) 

 and these plants were grown in 1911. (Crop of 1911.) The 

 color of the card shows at once the generation. Plant 7-34 had 

 green stems and was a bush bean. The leaf was medium green, 

 the flower pink, the pod flat, straight, green, tough and stringy. 

 The seed was black and buff mottled, the black predominating, 

 as shown by o indicating dark mottling. All these observations 

 are very quickly recorded, once they are determined and the 

 record is brief, convenient, definite and easily summarized. 



It is of course necessary to record clearly and positively just 

 what is signified by each letter. Most characters appear in some 

 established variety and may be fixed by referring to them. Full 

 description or preserved material may supplement such refer- 

 ences when necessary. Additional blank columns are provided 

 to allow for more extended observations or they may be used m 

 connection with the space to the right for brief special notes on 

 the individual plant. If more extended notes regarding any 

 plant or group of plants are desired, a description card or a 

 blank card of the appropriate color may be inserted at any point 

 for their accommodation. Photographs or drawings might also 

 be easily filed if desirable. 



We have used these cards for the past three years for record- 

 ing observations on many thousands of plants, not only beans 



ers the purpose of this article will be fulfilled. 



J. K. Shaw. 



The Massachusetts Agricultural College 



