AMERICAN BREEDERS'

ASSOCIATION

VOLUME IV

Report of the Meeting Held at

Washington, D. C , January 28-30, 1908,
and for the year ending January 12,
1908

W. M. HAYS H. H. MOWRY
Secretary Assistant Secretary
WASHINGTON, D. C.
 AMERICAN BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

OFFICERS.
President: HON. JAMES WILSON, Washington, D. C.
Vice-President: HON. CHARLES WILLIS WARD, Queens, N. Y.
Secretary: HON. W. M. HATS, Washington, D. C.
Treasurer: HON. N. H. GENTRY, Sedalia, Mo.
Chairman Animal Section: HON. A. P. GROUT, Winchester, III.
Secretary Animal Section: DR. C. B. DAVENPORT, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y.
Chairman Plant Section: Dn. H. J. WEBBER, Ithaca, N. Y.
Secretary Plant Section: PROF. N. E. HANSEN, Brookings, S. Dak.
Assistant Secretary: H. H. MOWRY, Washington, D. C.

EDITORS.
HON. W. M. HAYS, Secretary; PROF. N. E. HANSEN, Secretary Plant Section;
DR. C. B. DAVENPORT, Secretary Animal Section.

MEMBERSHIP DUES.
Annual, $2; Life, $20; Patron, $1,000.

MADE BT
KOHN & POLLOCK, INC.
BALTIMORE
PRESIDENT
 PREFATORY STATEMENT.

Progress is being made in the efforts to secure funds with which

to establish a magazine under the auspices of this Association. The
Council has thoroughly canvassed the matter of launching such a
magazine, and while it finds an almost unlimited amount of ma-
terial available for "copy" and illustrations suited to such a periodi-
cal, it has not yet secured a sinking and guarantee fund large enough
to organize the work under the direction of a competent business
and editorial manager who can devote his entire time to increasing
the membership of the Association and the circulation and attrac-
tiveness of the magazine, thus insuring that the enterprise would
certainly succeed from the start. In view of this situation and the
temporary business depression, it has been decided not to start the
magazine this year.
The Council has succeeded in organizing the Committee on Eu-
genics in a way that is most creditable to the Association. The
personnel of that committee, its first report, and the address of Dr.
Alexander Graham Bell on the same subject, place this matter on
a conservative and scientific basis which is very gratifying.
Volume IV is larger and better than any previous report. The
papers and committee reports admirably indicate the wide range
and economic potentiality of animal and plant heredity whose
forces the American Breeders' Association would place under the
intelligent control of man.
Volume IV will reach the members some months earlier in the
year than any previous report. This has been thought desirable
in order that members may not have their interest dulled by too
long delay; also that the Secretary's office may be in better position
to collect the dues for the succeeding year in December and Janu-
ary and have them all in by April 1. Heretofore, in part thru
the delay of the Secretary's office and in part thru the oversight
of members, the payment of annual dues has been scattered thru
the entire year. Now that the Secretary's office has taken the
initiative, members are requested to cooperate in placing the execu-
tive matters of the Association on a systematic basis thru prompt
payment of dues.
The volumes of previous annual reports have elicited many favor-
able comments from individuals and periodicals. There are limited
numbers of Volumes I, II and III available for sale at $1 per volume-
Persons interested in libraries should see that they secure full sets
10 PREFATORY STATEMENT.

of these reports before the first numbers are exhausted, as they are
recognized as containing the best available body of knowledge on
breeding.
The office correspondence and conferences indicate a rising interest
in the Association and a most rapid development of faith in research
in reference to heredity, in the development of methods of breeding
and in the widest cooperation in the improvement of economic
plants, and animals. The efforts of the Association to secure team
work in the planning of researches and in outlining methods of breed-
ing many species of plants and many classes of animals are already
yielding large results.
The development of State plant breeding establishments by State
Experiment Stations, the organization of plant breeding in the
United States Department of Agriculture and the increased organi-
zation of breeding work by private agencies, and especially the
wide cooperation in this work are very gratifying. The inaugura-
tion of organized public efforts in the breeding of animals during
the past few years is destined to mark an epoch in animal breeding.
The establishment of cooperation between the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture and the Minnesota Experiment Station and a
cooperative association of farmers to establish "circuit" breeding
after plans devised by a committee of this Association, is worthy of
note. ' The rapid organization of research in heredity by univer-
sities, departments of agriculture, experiment stations and by pri-
vate parties in this and other countries assures a more splendid
scientific basis for the practical work of plant and animal improve-
ment.
The large returns received upon the investment in public breeding
enterprises, as illustrated by experience of the Ontario' and the
Minnesota experiment stations—in which an aggregate expenditure
of $80,000 is conservatively estimated to have yielded to the farmers
$80,000,000—have begun to arouse the public, interest our leaders
of finance, and attract the attention of our legislators. Public work
in which a dollar yields a thousand dollars, and the possible limits
of which is between half a billion and a billion annually in increased
plant and animal products, is destined soon to claim large support.
The American Breeders' Association was organized at the opportune
time to promote the use of public money to aid in the creation of
new forms, and to assist growers of pure-bred seeds and plants to
retain and increase this class of private business. Those who most
clearly see the rising movement to segregate and bring into general
use the best blood lines in existing varieties and breeds and to bring
into existence still better hybrid strains, are unanimous in the
belief that creative breeding is, thru growth along conservative
lines, to reach great magnitude. The more than fifty committees
and sub-committees of the American Breeders' Association are
doing much to formulate plans for successfully breeding all our
economic plants and animals, ranging from bacteria to buffalo;
from fishes to forest trees; from pansies with much perfume to
 AMERICAN BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 11

potatoes resistant to disease; from wine grapes to wheat. The

outlook of the Association as an organizing and coordinating force
doubles in importance with every annual meeting.
Members are especially urged to aid in securing a large member-
ship. The voluntary services of the officers are freely given, and
cooperation by members is all that is needed to build up the Asso-
ciation to large numbers. The establishment of the American
Breeders' Magazine, better to promote the objects of the Associa-
tion, will be undertaken just as soon as the necessary support is
secured. Members are requested to send names of those who should
become members to the Secretary that they may be invited to join
the Association; and, at the same time, personally or by letter, to
urge upon such prospective members the advantages of being
identified with this organization.
The Association met in Washington with the American Carnation
Society and had most cordial relations in sharing the meeting halls
with that organization. The two associations are indebted to Hon.
C. W. Ward for providing the rental price of the several rooms
used for the meetings, show rooms, and committee rooms.
W. M'. HAYS,
Secretary.
 CONTENTS.

Methods of Effecting Breed and Herd Improvement as Used by the Hol-

stein-Friesian Association. By F. L. HOT/GHTON, Brattleboro, Vt. 17
Methods Used by the Ayrshire Breeders' Association in Perfecting the
Breed. By C. M. WINSLOW, Brandon, Vt 25
Methods Used by the American Jersey Cattle Club in Perfecting the Breed.
By W M . HART DEXTER, Washington, D. C 31
Report of the Committee on Breeding Tree and Vine Fruits. By PROF.
S. A. BEACH, Chairman, Ames, la 38
Breeding Grapes and Apples in Canada. By W. T. Macoun, Ottawa,
Can • 38
Breeding Apples for Indiana, By JOE A. BURTON, Mitchell, Ind. 43
Report of the Committee on Breeding Cereals. By Prof. L. S. KLINCK,
Chairman. St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec 44
The Cross Fertilizing of Cereals. By CHARLES E. SAUNDERS, Ottawa,
Can..., 66
Report of the Committee on Breeding Fish. By JAMES W. TITCOMB,
Chairman, Washington, D. C 69
Breeding Saddle Horses on Lines for Improvement and Development.
By I. B. NALL, Secretary American Saddle Horse Breeders' Asso-
ciation, Louisville, Ky 72 .
The American Trotting Association and its Methods. By W. H. KNIGHT,
Chicago, 111 74
The Arabian Horse. By HOMER DAVENPORT, Morris Plains, N. J . . . . 76
The American Trotting Horse; His Importance and Means of Improving
His Condition. By H. K. DEVEREUX, Cleveland, Ohio 79
Report of the Committee on Breeding Draft Horses. By PROF. W. B.
RICHARDS, Chairman, Fargo, N. Dak 88
The American Thoroughbred Horse. By JOUETT SHOUSE, Lexington, Ky. 92
European Ancestor of the Modern Horse. By ROBERT V. V. SEWELL,
Oyster Bay, N. Y 106
The Constancy of Mutants; the Origin of Disease Resistance in Plants.
By PROF. H. L. BOLI.EY, Fargo, N. Dak 121
Report of the Committee on Cooperation in Animal Breeding. By W. M.
HATS, Chairman, Washington, D. C 130
Breeding Twin City Shorthorn Cattle. By PROF. ANDREW BOSS, St.
Anthony Park, Minn 132
Fine Stock Breeding in Bavaria. By W. BARDEL, U. S. Consul, Bam-
berg, Germany 143
~On the Theory and Practice of Breeding Disease Resistant Plants. By
W. A. ORTON, Washington, D. C 144
Improvement of Hops by Selection and Breeding. By DR. W. W. STOCK-
BERGER, Washington, D. C 156
The Field for Economic Plant Breeding in the Cotton Belt. By.DAVID
COKER, Hartsville, S. C 161
Breeding Cantaloupes. By PHILO K. BLINN, Rocky Ford, Colo 165
Color Variation among Domesticated Animals. By DR. W. E. CASTLE,
Cambridge, Mass 172
 AMERICAN BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 13

Report of the Committee on Breeding for Meat Production. By PROF,

ANDREW BOSS, St. Anthony Park, Minn 180
Report of the Committee on Cooperation in Plant Breeding. By D R .
A. F. WOODS, Chairman, Washington, D. C 182
Report of the Committee on Breeding Wild Mammals. By D. E.
LANTZ, Chairman, Washington, D. C. : ^. . 184
Report of the Committee on Breeding Fur-Bearing Animals. By VERNON
BAILEY, Chairman, Washington, D. C 193
Report of the Committee on Breeding Bees and Other Insects. By D R .
L. O. HOWARD, Chairman, Washington, D. C 200
Report of the Committee on Eugenics. Bv D R . DAVID STARR JORDAN, m^.
Chairman, Lelarid Stanford, Calif. ..". 201 /
A Few Thoughts Concerning Eugenics. By DR. ALEXANDER GRAHAM
BELL, Washington, D. C 208
Report of the Committee on Breeding Cotton. By DR. H. J. WEBBER,
Ithaca, N. Y 215
Hybrids and Selections of Cotton, By D. A. SATJNDERS, Washington,
D. C 216
Report of the Committee on Breeding Fiber Crops. By PROF. J. H. SHEP-
PERD, Chairman, Fargo, N. Dak ..." 219
J Survey of the Conditions Surrounding Fiber-Crop Production. By
: J LYSTER H. DEWEY, Washington, D. C 220
Hemp and Hemp Breeding. By PROF. FRITZ KNORR, Ft. Collins Colo. 223
Breeding Fiber Flax for Resistance to Diseases. By PROF. H. L.
BOLLEY, Fargo, N. Dak 227
Breeding Flax for Fiber type of Plant. By PROF. J. H. SHEPPERD,
Fargo, N. Dak 229
Report of the Committee on Breeding Vegetables. By W . W . T R A C Y , SR.,
Chairman, Washington, D. C 233
Report of the Committee on Breeding Sheep and Goats. By PROF. W. C.
COFFEY, Chairman, Urbana, 111 235
Report of the Committee on Breeding Roses. By PETER BISSETT, Chair-
man, Twin Oaks, Washington, D. C 236
Breeding Wild Roses. By W. VAN FLEET, Little Silver, N. J 240
Report of the Committee on Breeding Tobacco. By A. D. SHAMEL, Chair-
man, Washington, D. C 245
Tobacco Breeding in the Connecticut Valley. By J. B. STEWART,
Tariffville, Conn 247
The Improvement of Ohio Filler Tobacco. By A. D. SELBY, Wooster,
Ohio 251
Tobacco Breeding Work in Kentucky and Tennessee for 1907. By
W. H. SCHERFFIUS, Lexington, Ky 253
Report of the Committee on Breeding Carnations. By C. W. WARD,
Chairman, Queens, N. Y . . . 258
Report of the Committee on Breeding Forage Crops. By DEAN THOS.
F. HUNT, Chairman, State College, Penna 269
Some Preliminary Observations Concerning the Improvement of
Timothy. By H. A. ALLARD, Washington, D. C 290
How to Meet the Difficulties in Clover Breeding. By C. FRUWIRTH, Hohen-
heim, Germany 294
The Composition of a Field of Maize. By GEORGE H. SHTTLL, Cold Spring
Harbor, N. Y 296
Report of the Committee on Animal and Plant Introduction. By DAVID
G. FAIRCHILD, Chairman, Washington, D. C 301
Report of the Committee on Breeding Forest and Nut Trees. By GIFFORD
PiNCHOT, Chairman, Washington, D. C 304
Breeding Forest Trees for Semi-Arid California. By W. L. JEPSON,
Berkeley, Calif 311
 14 CONTENTS.

Desirable Results to be Attained in Pecan Breeding. By GEO. L.

CLOTHIER, Agricultural College, Miss 314
Report of the Committee on Animal Hybridizing. By W. J. SPILLMAN,
Chairman, Washington, D. C 317
A Short Account of the Experiment of Crossing the American Bison
with Domestic Cattle. By M. M. BOTD, Bobcaygeon, Ont 324
Report of the Committee on Breeding Horse Hybrids. By PROF. F. R.
MARSHALL, Chairman, Columbus, Ohio • 331
Organic Correlations. By PROF. EDWARD M. EAST, New Haven, C o n n . . . . 332
Report of the Committee on Theoretical Research in Heredity 343
Some Gaps in Our Knowledge of Heredity. By DR. H. J. WEBBER,
Chairman, Ithaca, N. Y 344 1
Recent Advances, in the Theory of Heredity. By DR. C. B. DAVEN-
PORT, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y . 35.5 ~>
Color Factors in Mammals. By W. J. SPILLMAN, Washington, D. C. 357
Mendelian Phenomena and Discontinuous Variation. By W. J. SPILL- _,
MAN, Washington, D. C. . 359 /
DIRECTORY OP MEMBERS:
Annual 361
Life. 369
SUBJECT INDEX 371
AUTHOR INDEX 373

i
!i
 Proceedings of the Meeting of the American
Breeders' Association, Held at Washington,
D. C, January 28=30, 1908.

BUSINESS REPORT.

The fourth annual meeting of the American Breeders' Association

was held in Washington, D. C, January 28-30, 1908. The sessions
were held in the Hall of the National Rifles Armory, and in Carroll
Hall, in cooperation with the American Carnation Society which
met at the same time.
The respective sessions were well attended, owing in part to the
fact that the two Associations succeeded in securing reduced rates
from the Eastern and Southern States. It was found necessary to
crowd the daily programs to accommodate the many speakers who
' were present with papers and committee reports. These are printed
on the pages following.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The resolutions adopted by the Association follow:
Resolved, That, in the opinion of the American Breeders' Association, it
is extremely desirable that the Secretary of Agriculture should include in his
next estimates to Congress a plan for the scientific investigation-of plant and
animal quarantine, and that he request of Congress the necessary funds to or-
ganize and carry out this investigation as a necessary basis and preliminary
for the framing of National quarantine regulations which will avoid unnecessary
interference with commerce and with desirable importations of plants and
animals.
Resolved further, That, in the opinion of the Association, until the subject
has received a thorough scientific investigation and the requisite data have been
-collected, any National quarantine law must be premature and undesirable.
WHEREAS, There are vast possibilities in our wild meat, fur and game mammals
and birds as a basis for stocking our private and public forests reserves and game
preserves with a view to the conservation and fuller utilization of our natural
resources and as a source of blood to be used in forming hybrids with domestic
animals; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the American Breeders' Association urges upon the attention
of Congress, of State legislatures, sportsman's societies, and private parties,
the preservation of the American bison, the various members of the d.eer family,
mountain sheep, arctic foxes, grouse, pheasants, quail, and other mammals
and birds; and the carrying out of experiments to determine their wide use
16 BUSINESS REPORT.

on lands not especially suited to domestic species, and the determination of their
value in the foundation of hybrid animals designed for production under wild
and semi-domestic conditions.
Resolved, That the Secretary, upon vote by the Council, may offer reduced
clubbing rates on annual dues to clubs, societies, or associations.
Resolved, That the Council be authorized to establish a magazine under the
auspices of and to be the property of the American Breeders' Association when,
in its judgment, suitable financial resources are available.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

During the year beginning January 12, 1907, and ending January
11, 1908, the receipts to the current expense fund have been
$1,312.79 and the disbursements $1,205.13. There have been
received for the permanent fund from life dues $165, making this
fund $1,125. The balance in the contingent fund was $107.66.
The expenditures, all covered by vouchers and receipted bills, have
been broadly grouped as follows:
Postage S 402.42
Printing 750.97
Miscellaneous 51.74
Total $1205.13

There has been no expenditure for labor or office assistance, the

officers of the Association and Council performing their duties
without compensation. An auditing committee was appointed by
the presiding officer to audit the books of the Secretary and Treas-
urer. Their report is given below:
Your committee appointed to audit the Secretary and Treasurer's accounts
for the year ending January 12, 1908, find that the receipts correspond with the
deposits in bank, and that each expenditure is represented by a properly signed
voucher.
The balance in bank is $127.66, of which $107.66 belongs to the contingent
fund and $20.00 to the permanent life fund. A check for this $20 has been
sent to the treasurer, but as the check has not yet been returned to the bank,
the $20 still stands to the credit of the Secretary on the bank's books.
The records further show that the sum of $1,125.00 in permanent funds is
now in the hands of the treasurer.
We find that the additions balance, and that the accounts have been accurately
kept.
(Signed) C. E. SATJNDERS,
W. J. SPILLMAN.

As this report goes to press, there is in the contingent fund

$625.00 in the hands of the Secretary, and $1,625.00 in the per-
manent-life fund in the hands of the Treasurer at the close of
business April 30, 1908, with no outstanding bills.
 AMERICAN BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 17

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the un-
animous election of the following: .
President: Hon. JAMES WILSON, Washington, D. C.
Vice-President: Hon. CHARLES WILLIS WARD, Queens, N. Y.
Secretary: Hon. W. M. HAYS, Washington, D. C.
Treasurer: Hon. N. H. GENTRY, Sedalia, Mo.
Chairman Animal Section: Dr. C. B. DAVENPORT, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y.
Chairman Plant Section: Dr. H. J. WEBBER, Ithaca, N. Y.
Secretary Plant Section: Prof. N. E.HANSEN, Brookings, S. Dak.
Assistant Secretary: H. H. MOWRY, Washington, D. C.

The greater part of the time of each session was devoted to read-
ing and discussion of the committee reports and papers, which
follow:

METHOD OF EFFECTING BREED AND HERD IMPROVEMENTS

AS USED BY THE HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.
By F. L. HOUGHTON, Bratileboro, Vt.

Primarily the method of effecting breed and herd improvement

by the Holstein-Friesian Association of America is outlined in its
by-laws and is summarized in the regulations and forms used for
applications for registry and transfer.
This association, like all others, accepts without question the
statements of breeders in regard to breeding data, provided that a
comparison of such data with the office records shows no necessity
for inquiry or correction of errors, failure to record transfer of
ownership, etc. In short, the purity of the breeding is entirely a
matter of honor, but the system of recording provides numerous
safeguards which necessitate upon the part of the breeder a very
careful keeping of his records.
The steps which a herd-book association may take to uplift the
breed or the standard of breeding are apparently limited by practi-
cal considerations, and it remains largely with the individual breeder
to so select, breed and develop his cattle as to secure the substantial
improvement of the race.
The Holstein-Friesian Association devotes much attention to the
distribution of literature relating to the breed, from which good
comes, and from which is derived inspiration toward the better
handling and development of herds.
The feature of the work of this association from which the im-
provement of the breed is looked for, and from which substantial
improvement may come, is the system of advanced registry.