defect. Neither the substance nor the form of the practicums here proposed is vital. The Instructor can modify them to suit his needs or plan others along similar lines. Here again the author has included more than any single course would probably offer, in order that the Instructor may choose such as he requires or as his facilities may permit. The author is aware that the success of his attempt to put this subject into pedagodic form is far from perfect. He will, therefore, be grateful to Instructors in Agronomy if they will submit to him any criticisms. or suggestions that may occur to them either as to subject matter or method of treatment.

THOMAS F. HUNT.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY,

ITHACA, N. Y., October 1, 1904.

Field crops, p. 2; Number of cultivated species, p. 2;

Classification, p. 3; Area and value of field crops

in 1899 in U. S., p. 3; Cereals, p. 4; Grasses, p. 6;

Legumes for hay and pasture, p. 6; Legumes for

seeds, p. 7; Forage crops, p. 7; Tubers, p. 8;

Roots, p. 8; Sugar plants, p. 8; Fiber plants, p. 9;

Stimulants, p. 9; Medicinal and aromatic plants,

p. 9; Miscellaneous crops, p. 9; Staple crops of

the United States, p. 9; Character of field crops,

p. 10.

Beginnings of Plant Culture.

Possibility of crop production, p. 10; Profitableness

of a given crop, p. 11; Choice of crops, p. 11;

Specialties, p. 12; General farming, p. 12.

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IMPROVEMENT OF FIELD CROPS.

Changes in Farm Crops

The Importance of Plant Breeding

Maize breeding farm, p. 15; Application of principle

14

14

delayed in plants, p. 15; Sex, p. 16; Difficulty of

control, p. 16; Seed an embryo, p. 16.

Examples of Improvement or Modification in Plants

Examples of definite improvement, p. 18.

Methods of Improvement

Inducing variation, p. 19; Influence of environment,

p. 19; Change of seed, p. 20; Crossing, p. 21;

Selection, p. 21; Power of specific forms to repro-

duce themselves, p. 22; Importance of large num-

bers, p. 23.

Plant Breeder's Advantage

Practicums

Collateral Reading

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19

23

24

Relationships

CHAPTER III.-WHEAT.

I. STRUCTURE.

Roots, p. 26; Culms, p. 27; Leaves, p. 29; Tiller-

ing, p. 29; Organs of reproduction, p. 30; The

true flower, p. 31; The spikelet, p. 31; The spike,

p. 32; The grain, p. 33; The embryo, p. 34; The

endosperm, p. 35; Aleurone layer, p. 35; The bran,

p. 35; Physical properties, p. 37.

II. COMPOSITION.

Composition.

Water, p. 38; Ash, p. 39; Protein, p. 40; Gluten,

p. 41; Gliadin, p. 42; Glutenin, p. 42.

Relation of Weight per Bushel to Nitrogen Content

Influence of Environment on Composition of Grain

Germination .

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38

42

44

46

Species of wheat, p. 47; Einkorn, p. 48; Spelt, p.

49; Emmer, p. 49; Common wheat, p. 51; Club

or square head wheat, p. 51; Poulard wheat, p.

52; Durum wheat, p. 52; Polish wheat, p. 54;

Spring and winter wheat, p. 54.

II.

CLASSIFICATION OF VARIETIES.

Importance of Variety

55

Best variety, p. 55;

Variety names, p. 56; Pedi-

gree wheat, p. 56; Number of varieties, p. 57;

Variety characteristics, p. 57; Variety groups, p. 58.

Desirable Qualities

Score card, p. 60; Market classifications, p. 60;

Soft winter varieties, p. 61; Hard winter varieties,

p. 61; Hard spring varieties, p. 62; White varie-

ties, p. 63.

New Varieties

III. IMPROVEMENT OF VARIETIES.

Introduction of foreign varieties, p. 63; Improvement

by selection, p. 63; Varieties through crossing,

p. 64; Possibility of cross-fertilization, p. 64; Law,

p. 65; Importance as a method of improvement,

p. 65; Finding and testing new strains, p. 66.

CHAPTER V.-WHEAT.

I. CLIMATE.

Conditions of Successful Wheat Culture .

Effect of climate upon geographical distribution.

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63

68