EEQUIEEMENTS FOE PEODUCING PEOFITABLE CEOPS. 



21 



HABIT OP GROWTH. 



The effect of the character of the early growth of a variety on its 

 struggle with weeds is very important. (Figs. 6 and 7.) In the valley 

 sections of California, where the temperature does not fall much 

 below freezing during 

 the winter months, 

 varieties of vigorous, 

 upright growth are 

 needed in order that 

 they may keep ahead 

 of and choke out the 

 weeds that start at 

 this time. Varieties 

 with a spreading habit 

 of early growth may 

 be adapted to moun- 

 tain sections of high 

 elevation, where there 

 is a good deal of snow 

 during the winter 

 months and the tem- 

 perature falls consid- 

 erably below the 

 freezing point, thus 

 preventing weed 

 growth until spring. 



NONSHATTERING HABIT. 



The nonshattering 

 character of the head 

 of wheat is a very 

 important factor in 

 some sections of Cali- 

 fornia, as heavy wind- 

 storms often occur 

 after the grain is ripe 

 and before it is har- 

 vested. These winds 

 shatter out a great 

 deal of grain from varieties which have not a very close-fitting 

 chaff. The method of harvesting also has a tendency to shatter out 

 much of the grain where it is not closely held by the chaff, owing to 

 the fact that the crop is often allowed to stand for weeks after it is ripe. 



178 



Fig. 6. — Representative plants of six varieties of wheat from uniform 

 plats planted November 21, 1908, at Modesto, Cal., showing their 

 comparative development on May 1, 1909: 1596, Fretes; 1698, Allora; 

 2397, Erivan; 3019, Australian; 2227, Chul; 1558, Turkey. 



