Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-12-17
New Varieties Of YsIlow.Eye Beans
RESULTS OF BREEDING WORK AT HIGH.
MOOR FARM.

For several years the Maine Agricul-
tural Experiment Station has been on.
gagged in breeding new strains of beans
at HighmOor Farm. "A large number OF
new varieties and strains have been pro-
duced. Many of these are still being
tested to. determine their value. Out OF
q large number of new strains of I'm:
proved and Old Fashioned Yellow Ey ca
which have been tested there are about
, dozen which have shown such excel.
lent qualities that the Station feels jusli.
fied In Offering these to the farmers of
the state. Accordingly during the past
year these strains were multiplied In
large plots and fair amount of seed is
now available.
One of the big difficulties with strains
of yellow-eye beans in this state has
been their great tendency to throw black
and mottled beans every year. Our
experiments have shown conclusively
that this is due to cross pollination by
bumble-bees where two or more varieties
are planted In the same field. In order
10 overcome this, all OF the early stages
OF our bean breeding has been done In
an insect.pro0f cage. In this way no
crossing could take place. The multi.
plication plots have been isolated on
different parts of the farm 80 that we
can give every assurance that these
new strains will breed true to type.
Many of the strains of Improved and
Old Fashioned Yellow-Eyes commonly
grown through the state are very 10.
fsrior in quality from q market stand.
point. Special care has been taken to
see that all Of the new strains offered by
the Station are OF the type that will com.
mand the highest price on the Boston
market. .
OF the several strains of Old Fashioned
Yellow. Eyes offered for distribution
there is one which we regard as the best.
This strain has been given the name
"Highmoor Farm No. 1876" It is .
large, plump bean with q clear, white
ground color and medium, dark brown
ish eye color. Aside from it's perfect
shape and color the chief distinguishing
feature of this bean is in its runner type
of vine. Highmoor Farm No. 1875 10
the only strain of beans in which we
have been able to combine the Old Fash
ioned Yellow-Eye pattern and shape
with the runner type of vine. In this
respect 1t is quite unique amoug Old
Fashioned Yellow-Eyes. Owing to the
tact that the vines form these short run.
ners this strain is capable OF yielding
about 1.3 more per acre than the ordi.
nary strains.
In addition to this strain of Old Fash.
Toned Yellow Eyes the Station has pro.
duced several very excellent strains OF
the common bush type. Notable among
these are the strains which We have
called "Higbmoor Farm No. 1895" and
"Highmoor Farm No. 1908" Each OF
these strains possess the same excellent
qualities of shape, color and pattern
shown by Highmo0r Farm No. 1875
For growing under certain conditions
the bush type of vine is distinct sdvan'
tage as 1t natures little earlier.
OF the several new varieties of I'm.
proved Yellow-Eye beans the one known
az "Highmoor Farm No. 1917" has
shown some points of superiority over
he others. This bean carries the ideal
Improved Yellow-Eye pattern. It is
large and plump with q pure white
ground color and a bro wnish yellow eye.
All Improved Yellow-Eye beans have
the short runner type Of vine.
In addition to this strain the Station
has produced several Other varieties OF
Improved Yellow-Eyes which are only
slightly inferior to Highmoor Farm No.
1917. OF these there may be mentioned
especially Highmoor Farm No. 1912 and
Highmoor Farm No. 1919.
Each of thes, varieties were grown on
fairly large plots during the past season
and the Experiment Station will be able
to distribute q limited amount Of seed to
growers wi, bin the state. Correspond:
ence relative to securing this seed should
be directed to Doctor Chas. D. Woods,
Director, Maine Agricultural Expert.
ment Station, Orono, Maine.-Chas. D.
Woods, Director.