THE WHEAT CULTURIST. 117 



to deteriorate and run out, simply by perfunctory man- 

 agement. 



The Rio Grande. 



This is a choice variety of spring wheat ; but has not 

 been introduced, except in a few localities. Wherever 

 it has been cultivated for several successive seasons, 

 with care, and the seed kept pure, the crops have given 

 fair satisfaction. The straw is usually rather stiff, so 

 that the growing grain is not prostrated by protracted 

 storms. This variety has been grown quite extensively 

 in some parts of Minnesota, and other Western States. 

 Usually, farmers and millers have spoken well of the 

 Rio Grande. I think that if the seed of this variety 

 could be cultivated with the care alluded to under the 

 head of Seed Wheat, the Rio Grande would be one of 

 the choicest and most profitable varieties of spring 

 wheat that has ever been cultivated in America. This 

 wheat possesses all the characteristics of a perfect vari- 

 ety of cereal grain. But in numerous instances, the 

 crop has been allowed to hybridize with other grain, so 

 that, in some instances, it has lost its identity. 



China. Tea Wheat. 



This is a spring wheat. The chaff is white ; the 

 heads are long and well filled with plump kernels, when 

 the soil is moderately fertile. The kernels are large, 

 and rather far apart. It is a bearded variety ; and very 

 prolific. On rich soil, the straw stands erect tolerably 

 well. But some millers have complained of this variety 

 that the bran is thick ; and that the grain does not yield 



