198 



the distinction between them consists principally in the tinae of sowing, 

 and not in any material diiference in the seed, this arrangement has not 

 been deemed of much importance. 



Doctor Lindley mentions four varieties of wheat, which are perfectly 

 distinct; they are: 



Triticum Vulgare, Common wheat. 



Triticwn Polonium^ Polish wheat. 



Triticum Spelta., Spelt. 



Triticum Compositum, Egyptian wheat. 

 The latter is sometimes called " mummy wheat," from its having been 

 raised from seed found in the cases of Egyptian mummies. It is a 

 branched or many headed variety, and entirely differs from the wheat 

 of modern Egypt, which resembles the European or American vari- 

 eties. This mummy wheat is no doubt of the same kind as that which 

 appeared to Pharaoh in his dream, which is thus related in the book of 

 Genesis. "And he slept, and dreamed the second time, and behold seven 

 ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good ; and behold seven 

 thin ears, and blasted with the east wind, came up after them ; and the 

 seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears." 



Some of the principal varieties cultivated in the United States, are 

 as follows : 



White FHnt, Washington Blue Stem, 



Mediterranean,red and white. Improved White Flint. 



Kentucky White, White Provence. 



Soules, Early Purple Straw. 



Blue Stem, Late Purple Straw. 



Virginia May, Canada Flint. 



Red-chaff White, Wheatland Rod. 



'Hutchinson, Indiana White. 



Poland, Spalding's Prolific. 



The White Flint, Mediterranean and Blue Stem, are more exten- 

 sively cultivated than the other kinds ; indeed, many names in the fore- 

 going list, are merely varieties of these three kinds. 



White flint is an early ripening wheat but in some localities it is 

 subject to smut; this fault can be prevented by the use of a proper steep 

 made of salt and water, and afterwards by mixing or drying the wheat 

 with fresh slaked lime. 



