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 the}^ 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 
