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Through long, natural "in-and-in breeding'' the qualities of the 

 variety have become specialized, as it were, in harmony with the con- 

 ditions of the environment, and do not readily amalgamate with those 

 of a widely different sort. But once produce variation among these 

 qualities by means of crosses with allied sorts, and it becomes easier 

 to blend them with those of very different sorts. 



SUMMARY. 



■ 1. As a foundation for rational wheat improvement, a knowledge is 

 required of (1) the characteristics and needs of different wheat districts, 

 and (2) the characteristic qualities of the natural groups of wheats. 



2. On the basis of conditions of soil and climate and the nature of 

 the varieties adapted to these conditions, the United States may be con- 

 sidered to be divided into eight wheat districts as follows: (1) Soft 

 Wheat district, including mainly the Middle and New England States; 

 (2) Semihard Winter Wheat district, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 

 Michigan, and a small part of Wisconsin; (3) Southern Wheat district, 

 including approximately the Southern States; (4) Hard Spring Wheat 

 district, covering the northern portion of the States of the Plains; (5) 

 Hard Winter Wheat district, covering the central portion of the States 

 of the Plains; (6) Durum Wheat district, covering the southern por- 

 tion of the States of the Plains; (7) Irrigated Wheat district, including 

 approximately the Rocky Mountain and Basin States, and (8) White 

 Wheat district, including the Pacilic Coast States. 



3. Certain general needs, such as earl}^ maturity and greater yielding 

 power, are common to all these districts and must be kept constantly 

 in mind in connection with all efforts made to improve varieties. 

 Other characteristics and needs are more special and are stated here- 

 with under headings of the different districts. 



4. Soft Wheat district: 



(a) Present average yield per acre, about 14f bushels. 



(b) Chief varieties now grown: 



Fultz, Longberry, 



Fulcaster, Jones's Winter Fife, 



Early Genesee Giant, Red Wonder, 



Mediterranean, Gold Coin, 



Early Red Clawson, Blue Stem. 



(c) Needs of the grower: 



Harder-grained, more glutinous varieties. 



Hardier winter varieties for the most northern portions. 



Early maturity. 



Rust resistance. 



5. Semihard Winter Wheat district: 



(rt) Present average yield per acre, about 14 bushels. 



{b) Chief varieties now grown: 



Fultz, Valley, 



TVii.le, Nigger, 



Rudy, Dawson's Golden Chaff, 



Earlv Red Clawson. 



