FIELD CROPS. 145 



small quantity of sulphate of potash appeared, desirable on soils that had long 

 been uuder cultivation. 



Federation wheat, from, farmers' and millers' point of view, H. Ross {Agr. 

 Gaz. N. S. Wales, 21 {1910), No. 8, pp. 694-696) .—Federation waeat proved 

 superior in yielding qualities, ease of stripping, stiffness of straw, and storm 

 resistance. On each of 5 farms it excelled in yield the local wheats. Ou the 

 Wagga Experiment Farm it has averaged 22 lbs. per acre more during the past 

 8 years than any other variety grown for an equal length of time. The opin- 

 ions of millers as to the color of its fiour varied somewhat but none reported 

 discrimination against it, while one was " inclined to give 1 d. per bushel more 

 for Federation." 



Breeding' for type of kernel in wheat, and its relation to the grading and 

 milling of the grain, H. F. Roberts {Kansas Sta. Bui. 170, pp. 99-138, figs. 

 16). — The author presents in tabular and graphic form the results of studies 

 of the packing quality and volume weight of 52 races of wheat. 



Especial attention was given to the ratio of length to width. In 27 i-aces this 

 ratio varied from 1.88 to 2.14 and in the remaining 25 races from 2.15 to 2.84. 

 Tlie data presented lead the" author to conclude that " a difference of at least 

 3 lbs. to the bushel in the test weight can be gained by breeding for short- 

 kerneled races of wheat. When other factors than ratio are considered it has 

 been found that as much as 7 lbs. per bushel may be gained by breeding for 

 specific types of kernel." The superior samples were invariably those having 

 the lower ratio of length to width. When the ratio of length to width remains 

 constant a higher kernel-volume is generally accompanied by higher bushel- 

 weight, " except in the higher ratios where the reverse is the case." 



The author concludes that the grower should produce a wheat that will test 

 high in bushel weight and that the just and scientific grading system will give 

 preference to wheat having a high percentage of grain in the packed measure. 

 He suggests a system whereby wheat with a narrow, shallow crease will receive 

 the advantage justified by its lower bran percentage. A 1,000 cc. graduate may 

 be packed with grain and the volume of air contained measured by pouring in 

 alcohol. The cost per test is 0.8 ct. where 95 per cent of alcohol is used. Ex- 

 periments "indicate that probably 70 per cent and possibly 50 per cent alcohol 

 can be used." 



The relation of size, weight, and density of kernel to germination of wheat, 

 J. G. LiLL (Kansas Sta. Circ. 11, pp. 8). — In an experiment to determine the 

 relation of size, weight, and density of wheat kernel to germination 246 heads 

 furnished 7,G79 kernels. The kernels heavier than tlie average exceeded the 

 average germination by 0.75 per cent, while the germination of kernels lighter 

 than the average was 1.19 per cent below the average. The difference between 

 the germination of the larger and smaller kernels as separated by sieves was 

 slight and inconstant but the smallest kernels usually showed the poorest ger- 

 mination. Germinating ability varied directly as the density. 



Production of a new form in wheat, E. G. Montgomery (Nebraska Sta. Rpt. 

 1909, pp. 53-61, figs. 4). — A chart shows the pedigree for 6 generations of a 

 cross of Turkey Red bearded and Big Frame smooth wheat beginning with 

 1903. The normal bearded, normal smooth, and new types as well as mixtures 

 of types secured are graphically indicated. 



In 1906 full notes were taken and the study of IMendelian characters dropped. 

 The first unusual form occurred in 1907 when one plat developed new type A. 

 Its straw was from 6 to 10 in. shorter and the wheat ripened a week earlier 

 than that on the other plats. In the fall of 1907, 3 centgeners of this plat were 

 planted and came true to the new type in 1908. Five centgeners planted from 

 plants selected in 1907 came true to the bearded type, except for one case in 



