17 



however, .should be rigidly practiced. The (\stiil)li.shuu'nt of hardy 

 winter varieties in place of the spring -varieties now grown would no 

 doubt be an improvement of the utmost value in Iowa, Nebraska, and 

 portions of Wisconsin, and perhaps a small part of Minnesota. This 

 border is now the battle ground between winter and spring varieties, 

 and it should be the constant aim to carry the line farther to the north, 

 thus increasing more and more the winter-wheat area. Such purpose 

 can be accomplished either (1) by the introduction of winter varieties, 

 of similar quality to the spring sorts now grown, from the Crimea, 

 north Caucasus, and southern Volga region of Russia, or (2) by the 

 actual origination of hardier winter varieties of good quality through 

 hybridization and selection. As an example of the effectiveness of the 

 former method, we have only to point out the work already accom- 

 plished by Turkey wheat — a Crimean variety — in extending the Avinter- 

 wheat area in Nebraska and Iowa. 



SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS AXli NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT. 



(1) Principal varieties at present grown: 



Saskatchewan Fife, Hayne's Blue Stem, 



Scotch Fife, Bolton's Blue Stem, 



Powers Fife, Wellman's Fife. 



(2) Average yield per acre, about 13 busliels. 



(3) Needs of the grower: 



{a) Early maturity. 

 {})) Rust resistance. 



(c) Hardy winter varieties. 



(d) Drought resistance. 



HARD WINTER W^HEAT DISTRICT. 



In this district is comprised approximately the middle States of 

 the plains, including Kansas, a large part of Missouri, portions of 

 Iowa and Nebraska, and the larger part of Oklahoma. As the name 

 implies, it is characterized b}- the production of hard winter wheats, 

 such wheats as are rareh' found, but which are of the veiy best ({ualit}'. 

 The onl}^ other wheat region in all the world tliat is exactly com[)ar- 

 able to this one, so far as known, is that including northern Crimea 

 and the country directly between the Sea of Azov and the Caspian 

 Sea. The latter region, however, at present produces better wheats 

 than are produced in this district, and therefore should ])e drawn upon 

 for all improvements that are attempted through introduced sorts. 



The wheats of this district luue slender, stiff stems, narrow com- 

 pact heads, usually bearded, and medium or small, hard, red grains. 

 In this region there is tiie most interesting exampU* of the changes 

 that may take place for the better in the development of the wheat 

 industry. Twenty-five years ago the softer wheats (often white- 

 grained) were chiefly grown oxer a large portion of this district, and 

 .1871)— No. 2i '2 



