H,— 34.

(c) Observational trials of a number of varieties of which little is known are being conducted at four centres. Some of these varieties have been imported from Australia. The trials may be regarded as preliminary to any field trials that may be conducted, and permit the elimination of a large proportion of the varieties. (d) Breeding-work has been commenced, and F 2 seed has been harvested of crosses between some of the varieties possessing special characteristics. Lucerne.'—(a) Yield trials have been laid down to compare Marlborough with Hunter River, South African, Tivicata, and Subtergrim. The two latter are varieties raised in New Zealand. (b) Breeding commenced in 1931 and satisfactory progress has been attained. By selfing selected individuals it has been possible to locate parents which have produced satisfactory and vigorous progeny to L2. There has been a steady loss in vigour and seed-production as selfing has advanced, but some families have retained a vigour equal to Marlborough and are extremely uniform in type. The work is progressing along three lines : — (i) The parents which have produced the most vigorous inbred progenies, irrespective of type, have been seeded together. The resulting seed has been sown in an increase block and is being subjected to thorough rogueing. The progeny of this increase block will give the first bulk selection in 1935-36. (ii) Selected parents have been hand-crossed one with another affording ninety separate crosses. These are to be grown out next season to determine the best combinations from which to build up a second selection. (iii) The best of the L 2 progenies are to be hand-crossed next season. This is the best breedingmaterial available and it should be possible to build from it a highly satisfactory type. (c) The pollination of lucerne is a matter of considerable importance, having as it has a direct bearing on seed-production and heterosis. A study has been made of wind and various insects as possible agents in this respect. The great importance of cross-fertilization in its effect upon seedproduction and the vigour of the resultant plants has been amply demonstrated. Of the pollinating agents the following have been compared : Humble bee, Black Honey bee, Italian bee, Hybrid Honey bee, Carneolan, and Caucasian. The Apiary Instructor, Palmerston North, has co-operated in these trials. Rape.—(a) Mother seed of the two types —Broad Leaf Essex and Giant —is produced each year for distribution to growers who are producing seed. That distributed this season is a blend of selected lines. Next season hybrid seed of the two most promising selections will be available, and following this will be the most promising selections from this cross. Thus an advance is being made each year. (b) Breeding of rape types is progressing. Crosses between the various types have been made of which F 2 seed is available and also F 1 seed of back crosses. Swedes and Turnips. —(a) Investigations regarding varietal nomenclature has been completed and the results offered for publication. (b) Trials have again been undertaken to compare the yield and purity of New-Zealand-grown certified seed with that of imported seed. Brassica Crosses. —(a) Inter-specific crosses were made originally to study hybridization between the various Brassicae in view of the interest being taken in seed-production.. (b) The majority of the roots died, but some of the hybrids produced F 2 seed. Back crosses have been made and some of the material may possibly be of economic interest. Garden Peas. —(a) The production of pure lines of the more important varieties of garden peas continues to be an important activity of the Pure Seed Station, to which about 10 acres is devoted each year. These selected lines are purchased by merchants to replace existing stocks and build up from them their lines for export. (b) Most of the selected lines were grown this season in comparison with stocks obtained from merchants, and in almost every case the selected lines were more vigorous and productive, and all were decidedly more uniform. (c) A study of the tare leaves and other variants in peas has been continued. The problem is of great economic importance, but one that is proving very difficult to solve. (d) Little actual breeding-work has been undertaken, but crosses between Great Crop and Lincoln have now reached F 4 and some segregates are promising. Field Peas. —(a) Several new varieties of field peas have been placed under trial and a few are showing promise. (b) An extensive programme of breeding has been undertaken and F 4 seed has been harvested. Field peas form an important crop in New Zealand and warrant considerable research in the development of a smooth, yellow pea with a colourless seed-coat that is better than those generally grown. These types are used in the manufacture of split peas. Improvement could also be effected in Partridge by producing an earlier ripening-strain for North Island conditions. Some promising material is available. (c) Problems relating to the genetic analyses of certain seed characters have been concluded and the results are to appear in the Journal of Agricultural Science. Onions. —(a) After several years' work, what appears to be a very desirable type of onion has been selected. Sufficient bulbs have been raised this past season to produce a quantity of seed next season. (b) A yield trial designed to compare the selection with a number of standard varieties failed on account of dry weather. Mangels. —A collection has been made of all varieties available in New Zealand. These are now growing and it is proposed to describe the varieties, and the Analytical Chemist intends to determine the dry-matter content of each.

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