RYE 149 



adapted soils to a greater extent than wheat. The inter- 

 nodes are hollow, but nearly inclosed with pith just 

 below the spike. Mature rye straw is not so suitable 

 for feeding purposes as straw from other cereals, it being 

 tougher and less digestible and containing a smaller 

 amount of nutritive matter. It is valued highly for bed- 

 ding and manufacturing purp6ses, and special means are 

 often employed in thrashing to preserve the straw straight 

 and unbroken. 



Koernicke and Werner (1885 2 : 570) report the 7-year 

 average number of culms to a plant produced in a rich, 

 friable loam soil, when seeded in drill rows 8 inches apart, 

 as follows : 



Winter rye, minimum 4 culms, maximum 6.6, average 5 

 Spring rye, minimum 1.2 culms, maximum 3.4, average 2.1 



Johannis rye seeded in July produced an average of 12 

 culms to the plant ; when sown in November, 5 culms ; in 

 February, 3.4 culms. 



The number of culms produced to a plant when dif- 

 ferent spaces are allowed is reported as follows : 



25 square centimeters, 3.2 culms 

 100 square centimeters, 6.4 culms 

 225 square centimeters, 12.1 culms 

 400 square centimeters, 8.8 culms 



139. Leaves. The first foliage in the bud and in early 

 growth is reddish brown in color. The later leaves are 

 linear-lanceolate in shape and either glabrous or more or 

 less hairy on the upper surface or on both upper and lower 

 surfaces. The middle nerve stands out sharply on the 

 lower side and on each side of this and parallel to it are 

 five or more other nerves which stand out less sharply. 



