10 BULLETIIs^ 1343, U. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGKICULTUEE 
^Vhile these data are too limited for conclusions, their trend is 
similar to that of more extensive data obtained with other similar 
varieties, and in seeding this variety the Iowa station has used and 
recommended the 3-busliel rate. 
RICHLAND (IOWA NO. 105) 
E-ichland, a 3'ellow strain of Kherson, was the second pure line of 
that variety developed in the cooperative cereal experiments at the 
Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station. The histor}^ and descrip- 
tion of this strain follow. 
HISTORY AXD DESCRIPTION 
History. — Kichland is a companion strain of Albion and therefore 
has practically the same history. Like Albion, the original plant 
selection from Kherson was made by the senior writer in 1906. This 
selection was given the designation Iowa Xo. 105. It was grown in 
nursery experiments during the years 1907, 1908, and 1909 and was 
then advanced to the plat experiments. Owing to the excellent 
yields shown in these trials it was increased and first distributed to 
the farmers of Iowa in 1911:. During the fotir succeeding years up 
to and including 1918, this increase and distribution of Richland 
were continued. 
In productiveness, Richland has been one of the very best strains 
of Kherson so far isolated. Its yielding ability together with its 
earliness and short, rather stiif straw makes this strain particularly 
adapted for growing on soils of high fertility where other varieties 
usually lodge. The name Richland is a recognition of this fact. 
Description. — Early growth erect; plant very earh\ Culms 
slender, stiff, glabrous or occasionally slightly hairy at the nodes, 
55 to 85 centimeters tall. Sheaths deep green, glabrous; culm leaves 
narrow, margins glabrous. Pedtmcle slender, straight, usually well 
exserted. Panicle equilateral, usually erect; short, narrow to mid- 
broad, ovate; rachis nodes five to six; branches short to midlong. 
usually ascending, scabrous. Spikelets few to numerous, 2-flowerecl ; 
kernels slender. Empty glumes 20 to 24 millimeters long, 5 to 7 
millimeters wide, 8 to 9 veined, light green before maturity. Lower 
lemma 15 to 18 millimeters long, glabrous, bright yellow ; basal hairs 
few to absent; awns usually few, straight (nontwisted) to tAvisted 
and .geniculate, 10 to 30 millimeters long. Rachilla segment mid- 
long, usually glabrous. 
The Richland (Iowa Xo. 105) differs primarily from the original 
Kherson in having a slightly shorter straw. At time of ripening the 
empty glumes are a creamy white and the lemmas a distinct bright 
yellow. The variety ripens one day earlier than Kherson and tAvo 
days later than Early Champion. It is resistant to stem rust of 
oats. A jDanicle and spikelets of Richland are shown in Figure 5. 
In a varietal surve}^ it was estimated that nearly 411,000 acres of 
this improved strain of Kherson were grown in 1919. More than 
90 per cent of this acreage was reported from Iowa, as is shown in 
Figure 7. Despite favorable yields, however, the extension of Rich- 
land has been handicapped by its yellow color, as is proved by the 
fact that in 1924 the area devoted to it in Iowa had increased to only 
.slightly less than a half million acres. 
