142 Journal of Ar/iicultiire, Victoria. [10 March, 1916. 



rachis a series of spikelets, each consisting of one, or two, or more 

 florets which, unless sterile, ultimately carry the ripe grain. The 

 spikelets normally carry two to three grains, but when seasonal con- 

 ditions are favorable four or five may develop. 



The variety selected for investigation was Federation, whilst typical 

 ears of College Eclipse and Huguenot were also examined. Each 

 grain was removed from the ear by a forceps, identified by a number, 

 and weighed on a microbalance'^ designed for the purpose, and finally 

 planted in a recorded position in a centgener plot. 



30 3S 40 45 SO MILLIGRAMS 



20 APEX or EAR 



O 

 18 

 (7 

 16 

 15 

 14 

 13 

 12 

 II 

 lO 



8 



7 



6 



5 



4 



3 



1 



I 



oc AA /tc ,^ BASE OF EAR 



30 35 40 45 50 



WEIGH TS QF GRAINSIN MILLIGRAMS 



Fig. 2. — Graph of weights of individual grains in a small ear of Federation 



Wheat. 



K. 



I 



The germination was determined at intervals and notes on the early 

 growth taken. When ripe the whole plant was removed by the roots, 

 weighed, and the amount of grain obtained. 



In weighing the grains prior to planting, and marking their posi- 

 tion in the ear, it soon became apparent that well defined relationships 

 existed between the weight of the grains and their position in the ear. 



Society of Chemical Industry, Victoria. 1915, p. 268. 



