RECOMMENDED BY THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, FOR SEEDING IN 1953'
IMPROVED VARIETIES
Indiana farmers have been quick to recognize the value of improved small grain varieties. Increased yielding ability, greater strength of straw, improved quality, and resistance to some of the disease hazards are advantages which have already been realized. Each new variety represents a step forward in one or more of the important characteristics.
The Agricultural Experiment Station at Purdue University maintains a coordinated research program for breeding new varieties and for the evaluation of the new and older varieties at a number of locations in Indiana. New varieties from other experiment stations are also evaluated for their adaptation to Indiana conditions several years before they are distributed to farmers. Performance records are available for nearly Every variety which may be offered for sale in Indiana.
ANNUAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Experimental results are summarized and reviewed annually to select the outstanding varieties for recommendation the following year. The appearance of superior new varieties and altered disease hazards present an ever changing problem.
Varieties which have been outstanding in production, quality and resistance to disease or weather hazards in a region are recotntnended. The experimental results indicate that these are the best varieties available to tamers. Varieties which have yielded well but are somewhat deficient in one or more other characters are 'i?ted as acceptable. We believe that there is an advan-:age in growing the recommended varieties, but specific characteristics of an acceptable variety may make its production desirable under special local conditions. Varieties are classed as unsuitable if their quality or orher characteristics make them objectionable for commercial use or hazardous for production. In addition, other varieties are listed which have been tested but have not performed as well as the recommended and acceptable varieties.
Production of foundation, registered and certified seed
of recommended varieties is promoted to assure farmers of a supply of good pure seed. Acceptable varieties are also eligible for certification.
SPRING OAT VARIETIES
Spring oats are the most heat tolerant of the different spring grains and are thus the only spring grain crop generally recommended in Indiana. The effect of hot weather is a major factor in determining the adaptation of varieties. The farther south the region, the earlier and more heat tolerant must be the variety. Yielding ability, strength of straw, grain quality and resistance to disease—particularly crown rust—are important considerations in choosing a variety.
CLINTON 59:	Medium early, very stiff-strawed,
medium short variety producing yellow grain of high test weight and high groats or meat percentage. High yielding in northern Indiana. Resistant to Indiana smut
Dubois, a new, shorter, stiff-strawed winter oat on the left compared with the taller, weak-strawed /• orkedeer variety on the right.
1 Prepared by the Small Grain Improvement Coordinating Committee consisting of R. M. Caldwell, Chairman, K. E. Beeson. L E. Compton, H. R. Lathrope, R. R. Mulvey, J. E. Newman, F. L. Patterson and J. F. Schafer and approved by the Director.
Small  Grain Varieties for Indiana
Station Circular 391 February, 1953