Abstract of an address on 'plant breeding in the United States Department of Agriculture' / by Erwin F. Smith.

  • Smith, Erwin F. (Erwin Frink), 1854-1927.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Abstract of an address on 'plant breeding in the United States Department of Agriculture' / by Erwin F. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    entirely to the clover, and does not touch grass or other components of our pastures ; but the extent to which it affected the clover crops at the time I refer to it is impossible to realise. The latS’ Sir John Bennet Lawes had a little plot in his grounds which was free from clover-sickness for thirty- ffve years, but at last it succumbed, and Sir Henry Gilbert, the dis- tinguished chemist, believed that this was due to clover-sick soil. He investigated the soil and discovered thousands of Sclerotinia, by which future crops would have been utterly destroyed. I think we have got a lesson from Dr. Smith which we should try to put into practice in our own country. The President: I am sure Mr. Carruthers’s remarks find an echo in our hearts, and we thank the Government of the United States, who are the pioneers in this matter. We shall do well to follow them. Mr. F. W. Moore, V.M.H., asked whether the tobacco alluded to by Dr, Smith was a local tobacco, or could it be used in all tobacco-growing soils ? Dr. Smith : I do not know that I can answer that question fully. Mr. Geo. Gordon, V.M.H.: We have for many years past endeavoured to grow maize in this country as a vegetable, but with very little success indeed. But last year a friend of mine obtained some varieties of maize from America without name. Possibly they may be some of the hybrids to which Dr. Smith has referred. They are to-day growing amazingly, and are producing most satisfactory crops. I had hoped to be able to grow a selection so as to exhibit them at this Conference. I do feel that America has done excellent work. Dr. Smith : The cotton fields are now covered with cotton. Fields which a few years ago were worthless are now covered with good cottons. The President: When I was present at the Hybridisation Conference in New York I saw the striking photographs illustrating the work of Mr. Orton. I regret that Dr. Webber has not been able to attend this meeting, but I know that we will all agree that Dr. Smith has been an excellent substitute. Dr. Hansen suggested that the results in the case of tobacco were obtained purely by inbreeding. The President; That undoubtedly is the secret of the whole thing. PUISTKl) HV Ht’orriswooDii and co. i.td., nhw-stiucict squaue LONDON