SOIL FOR RYE 



347 



grain of r}'e is less variable in composition than wheat, barley 

 or maize. Analyses of American r}-e flour show the percentage 

 of protein to be very much less than that of wheat flour, being, 

 on an average of four analyses, 6.7 per cent in the case of n'e 

 flour, and 10.8 per cent as an average of twenty analyses of 

 wheat flour. The difference in the composition of r}'e and 

 wheat straw is very slight. It is probable, however, that there 

 is considerable difference in the nitrogen-free extract, since r\'e 

 straw is much tougher, and recognized to be of little value for 

 feeding purposes. 



482. Varieties. — There are very few varieties of r}'e, prob- 

 ably because V}'q cross-fertilizes freely. There are both spring 

 and winter varieties, the latter being usually sown. In Amer- 

 ica, at least, practically no attempt has been made to improve 

 lye either by selection or crossing. 



483. Climate. — Rye is a hardy plant and stands severe 

 winters better than wheat It has been matured in Alaska as 

 a winter grain.^ It does not seem, however, especially influ- 

 enced by hot weather. It is, nevertheless, naturally a plant of 

 cold climate just as barley is one of wann climate. 



484. Soil. — Rye is adapted to light, sandy soil. It has been 

 called the grain of poverty, because it will produce a fair crop 

 on land too poor, or climate unadapted for other cereals.^ It 

 will thrive on much poorer soils than wheat, maize or barley. 

 This is so well recognized that the expression, " It is too poor 

 to grow r}-e," is used to indicate the extreme poverty of the 

 soil. Brewer states that the feeling that poor soil and the 

 growth of r}'e are connected prevents many farmers from raising 

 it for purely sentimental reasons. While fertilization of r}'e, 

 therefore, is not systematically practiced, the same principles 

 apply to rye as to wheat. (122, 123, 124) 



1 Office of Expt. Sta. Rpt. 1903. 

 ' Sargent r Corn Plants, p. 83. 



