112 Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



Generally speaking", the coastal districts from Piquetberg to 

 Bredasdorj), and some of the adjoining- inland districts with anniial 

 rainfall of from 10-30 inches, are better adapted to the cultivation 

 of the " common " or soft wheats; whereas the inland sections, such 

 as the Districts of Worcester, Robertson, Montagu, and a portion of 

 Riversdale, with a rainfall below 10 inches, are more suited to the 

 " durums " or hard wheats. 



The " durums " are known to thrive better than the soft wheats 

 in drier sections; on the other hand, the latter do better under more 

 humid conditions. 



Further, it is significant to note that the wheat areas of the 

 coastal belt have shallow soils which are acid in nature and of poor 

 mechanical condition, whereas the inland districts referred to have 

 in general a porous soil of great depth which is rich in lime. 



COMMON " OR SOFT WHEATS. 



Classificatioti according to Maturity. — Generally speaking, wheats 

 are classified as follows : — 



(1) Early ; (2) Medium Early ; (3) Midseason ; (4) Medium 

 Late ; (5) Late. 



For our purpose we shall confine the classification to three groups 

 only, viz. :■ — (a) Early; (6) Midseason; (c) Late. 



The latter classification is used, as it indicates better the various 

 periods of maturity of each class. However, it should not be assumed 

 that all varieties coming under the same class are necessarily of 

 " identical maturity," e.g. Florence wheat is classed under (a), 

 but is considerably earlier than either Primrose or Gluyas, which 

 are included in the same class. Again, Rieti and Kleintrouw -both 

 belong to groiip (c), but the former is several weeks later than Klein- 

 trouw. 



Li discussing varieties of wheat in reg-ard to their suitability for 

 various sections of the country, one of the main considerations is the 

 question of rust resistance. Certain varieties of wheat are un- 

 doubtedly more rust-resistant than others, e.g. the very late variety 

 Rieti. although it may show rust, is not affected by the fungus to the 

 same extent as Federation, Wolkoorn, and Steinwedel. 



On the other hand, certain wheats, owing to the length of their 

 growing period, usually escape rust when sown in late autumn or 

 early winter, for the reason that by the time rust appears Qate spring) 

 the plants have reached a stage of growth when the fungus has little 

 or no effect on the kernel. 



No variety of wheat can, however, be claimed to be " rust proof." 

 It must be remembered that the susceptibility to rust varies according 

 to the season, yet the varieties given in accompanying Tables I. II, 

 and III have thus far all shown fair rust-resistant and rust-escaping 

 qualities. Varieties which are not satisfactory in this respect have 

 been divscarded. A list of these is to be found in Table lY of this 

 article. Tables I, II, and III specify Early, Midseason, and Late 

 varieties respectively, which are recommended for the south-west 

 Cape. 



