The inheritance mechanisms of seven plant and seed characters were studied in the F1, backcrosses and segregating generations from the cross of two winter wheat varieties differing in plant height and other characteristics.Evidence for the control of plant height by three major gene pairs was obtained. Additive gene action accounted for most of the plant height variance. Maturity was controlled by a single dominant gene pair for earliness. A bimodal F2 frequency distribution for kernel weight indicated operation of a relatively few genes. Heterosis for high yield was evident. The 4380‐pounds‐per‐acre yield of the F1 exceeded the most productive parent by 12.9%. Heavy kernel weight and, to a lesser extent, number of spikes per plant contributed to the high yield of the F1. The genetic expression of spike length and number of rachis internodes was completely additive.Heritability percentages for plant height, spike length, maturity, and kernel weight were sufficiently high to indicate that selection in the F2 for these traits could be effective. Selection for number of rachis internodes, number of tillers, or grain yield would be ineffective. Plant height was significantly correlated with kernel weight, spike length, maturity, grain yield, number of spikes per plant, and number of rachis internodes.