98 



THE WHEAT CULTTJRIST. 



The Indiana, or Golden Stem Wheat. 



This variety is a white winter variety ; but does not 

 possess the necessary characteristics of a perfect wheat. 

 One of its defects is, the chaff is too loose, 

 so much so that the wheat midge finds easy 

 access to the kernels ; and the grain shells 

 out readily when the crop is being har- 

 vested. Another defect is, the straw does 

 not usually grow sufficiently stiff to maintain 

 an erect position till the time of perfect 

 maturity. The cuticle of the grain is thin, 

 and the percentage of fine flour is larger 

 than the yield of some other varieties of 

 wheat. 



The Early May Wheat. 



This variety was once one of the finest 

 kinds of wheat that could be found in 

 America ; and in some localities it is still 

 cnltivated with excellent satisfaction. But 

 gf as I have not, of late, come in personal 

 contact with the Early May, and as there 

 are so many conflicting opinions about the 

 value of this variety, I feel in doubt as 

 to what I ought to record about it. I 

 have no doubt, however, that with care- 

 ful cultivation, this would prove an ex- 

 cellent acquisition to the best varieties 

 of the wheats now cultivated in this country. Who- 

 ever has this variety, still pure, should make an extra 

 effort to improve it. 



Fig. 18. 



Oolden stem. 



