WHEAT 



63 



spikelets (hulled kernels as they come from the thrasher) 

 look much like spelt, but differ chiefly in the presence of 

 a short pointed pedicel (see Fig. 20) . In the case of spelt, 

 this pedicel, which is really a portion of the rachis of the 

 spike, if attached at all to the spikelet, is always very 

 blunt and much thicker. Usually, however, its pedicel 

 does not remain attached to the 

 base of the spelt spikelet after 

 thrashing ; instead, each spikelet 

 carries on its inner face the pedicel 

 belonging to the next spikelet 

 above. Besides, the emmer 

 spikelets are flattened on the 

 inner side and not arched as in 

 spelt, so that they do not stand 

 out from the rachis as the spelt 

 spikelets do, but lie close to it 

 and to one another, forming a 

 solidly compact spike. The spike- 

 lets of spelt, on the other hand, 

 are placed far apart and, being 

 arched on the inner side, stand 



P ,i i n FIG. v2u. Emmer : on the 



out from the rachis, forming- a left spike and kernel> j 



Very loose Spike. The Spikelets natural size ; on the right, 



of emmer are usually two-ker- spike 

 neled, one kernel being located a little higher than 

 the other. The glumes are boat-shaped, keeled, and 

 toothed at the apex. The kernel is somewhat similar 

 to that of spelt, but is usually harder, more com- 

 pressed at the sides, and redder. There are both spring 

 and winter varieties. All varieties so far known are 

 awned. Emmer is considerably resistant to drought, and 

 certain varieties are very resistant to rust. It is also 



