346 



THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



normally sized grains. The organs of reproduction are very 

 similar to those of wheat, except that the anthers in the case of 



rye are very much larger. 

 A rye grain is rather longer, 

 more slender, more pointed 

 at the embryo end and 

 more blunt at the upper 

 end. One hundred aver- 

 age grains weigh about 2.5 

 grams, usually varying be- 

 tween 2.25 and 3.75 grams. 

 In some cases the size of 

 seed may vary so that one 

 and one-half to three and 

 a quarter bushels might 

 furnish the same number 

 of seed per acre. The fur- 

 row or crease is less marked 

 and the surface is more 

 wrinkled. This may be due 

 to the more porous cells of 

 the pericarp. Its general 



Rye at blooming: front view of spike on right; resemblanCC tO an Oat kcr- 



sidevew of portion of spike in middle; on the , , raiicprl rvP to he 



left, a single spikelet containing two flowers ^^^l hclS CaUSCa r>e lO DC 



about to bloom ; shows outer glume, flower- uScd iu adulterating OatS 



ing glume, large anther and palea. , .^ r • i „ 



^ ^ ' ^ ^ when the former is cheaper 



than the latter per pound. In general the stmcture of the rye 

 grain is similar to that of the wheat grain, although the starch 

 cells and cells of the aleurone layer appear rather larger in the 

 case of rye.. 



481. Composition. — Analyses of American rye indicate that 

 the percentage of protein (10.6) and fat (1.7) is somewhat less 

 than that of wheat. The protein contains gluten, and rye flour 

 vs therefore adapted for the production of porous bread. The 



