34 



"well-filled" heads, is greatly increased by the introduction of the 

 spelt element. No doubt we very little realize the loss in yield that 

 is simply the result of the inability of the variety to fill out its heads. 



There are both winter and spring varieties of spelt, and some of the 

 former are very hardy. Certain varieties are also rather drought 

 resistant, but nearly all sorts are more or less susceptible to rust 

 attacks. It is in just such cases as that of the use of spelt varieties 

 in intercrossing with bread wheats that the greatest of judgment must 

 be exercised because of the presence of undesirable as well as desira- 

 ble qualities. While the experimenter is endeavoring to secure the 

 qualities of nonshattering, drought resistance, etc. , it is equally impor- 

 tant to select from the progeny of such crosses in such a way as to 

 eliminate the characteristics of rust liability and brittleness of the 

 head. Here also is shown emphatically the advantage of the practice 

 of composite crossing (to be discussed further on), as in such case the 

 variation induced is so great that there are almost certain to be indi- 

 viduals present among the sporting ofispring which possess the desired 

 qualities without having preserved the undesirable ones. 



Spelt is chiefly grown in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Swit- 

 zerland, and perhaps to a small extent in Brazil. It is not grown in 

 this country except mainly in an experimental way. Summarized, 

 the desirable qualities found in the spelt group are: 



(1) Power of holding the grain in the head. 



(2) Constancy in fertility. 



(3) Hardiness of certain winter varieties. 



The undesirable ones are: 



(1) Brittleness of the head. 



(2) Rust liability. 



EMMER {T. dicoccuni). 



This species has no English name, but is often incorrectly called 

 spelt in this country. The German name is Emmer and the French 

 amldonnier. As the German name is best known and easily pro- 

 nounced, it should be at once adopted with us, and the name spelt 

 applied where it properly belongs. In Russia, where the group is 

 well represented, it goes by the name of polha, which name is invari- 

 ably translated spelt. But either the Russians wrongly apply the 

 name polba or this is an incorrect translation. As a matter of fact, 

 very little if any true spelt is grown in Russia, though a rather large 

 quantity of emmer is produced each year. 



The plants of this species are pithy or hollow, with an inner wall of 

 pith; leaves sometimes rather broad, and usually velvety hairy; heads 

 almost always bearded, very compact, and much flattened on the two- 

 rowed sides. The appearance in the field is therefore quite difierent 

 from that of spelt. The spikelets (that is, the unhulled grains as they 



