8 March, 1907.] Harvest Returns of Wheat Varieties. 



,67 



6 to loi bags per acre. The following classification shows the \ariet;es 

 in their order of excellence: — 



It is particularly interesting to compare the average yield of the 

 farmer's own wheat (plot 39) with the leading varieties. There are no 

 less than fourteen varieties showing a higher average yield than the seed 

 provided bv the farmer (mostly Purple Straw and Dart's Imperial), and 

 no less than sixteen varieties showing a higher maximum yield. These 

 facts are given prominence in order to urge the introduction of new varie- 

 ties of proved suitabilitv. It is gratifying to find such well-known 

 -wheats as Dart"s Imperial and Marshall's No. 3 occupying leading places, 

 and the high position of White Tuscan and Frampton should bring these 

 formerly well-known varieties again into popularity, more particularly in 

 those districts where the rainfall is sufficient to support tiie flaggy growth 

 peculiar to them. 



The Milling Properties of Wheat. 

 Although the general purpose of the wheat experiments has hitherto 

 onlv been in the direction of improving the yield, there are other and 

 equallv important considerations to be kept in mind when new varieties 

 are advocated. It is. I think, generally understood that some varieties 

 of wheat are better flour producers than others, and milK-rs have done 

 much to urge farmers to take up those varieties which produce a '' .strong " 

 flour. The farmer, however, from his point of view, often knows little 

 or nothing, alx)ut the flour-making properties of the wheat he sells, and 

 probablv cares less, nevertheless a mutual advantage is to be gained by 

 both miller and farmer in the growth of tho.se varieties, whose character- 

 istics lie in the direction of flour production of a high quality. 



