350 



EXPERIMENTS WITH DIFFERENT 



Samples of the grain in both seasons, and of the flour in 1865, 

 were sent to an experienced grain-merchant, who affixed the 

 relative values as given in the tables. Instead of taking current 

 rates, it was thought preferable to take for a basis wheat weighing 

 60 lbs. per bushel at 40s. per quarter, which is pretty nearly the 

 average price since the lowering of rates after the Crimean war. 

 The straw 7 is valued at 40s. per ton, which is not far from the 

 average price in this district. 



480 lbs. of each variety were sent to the mill and ground 

 into flour. The following is the miller's return : — 



This speaks highly in favour of Woolly ear, and says but little 

 for the Fenton. The grist was too small, however, to allow of 

 much dependance being placed on so anomalous a result. 



The flours were so alike in appearance as to be practically 

 identical in value. Samples of each were tried in the bakehouse, 

 and the baker thought the Hopetoun best, the Woolly ear and 

 Fenton next, and the Hunters the weakest. 



The year 1865 will leave a not unpleasing record in the 

 books of the wheat growers of this district. From the 8th of 

 March till the crop was cut, the season was all that could be 

 desired. A week of wet weather when the crop was in stook 

 did much injury, but as a whole it has been the finest wheat 

 season for many a year, and the crop is nearly double an average 

 one. 



In both years the wheats got much rain in the stooks, and, 

 having to be thrashed before there was any frost, the condition 

 of the samples was very soft, and hence the lightness in the 

 bushel. We observe that in each year two of the varieties are 

 heavier than the other two ; and it happens that the two heavy 

 ones were in both years the two at the top of the stacks. In 



