492 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



and length of chaff, or awn. Berries can be too close on the head in cer- 

 tain climates, and may be too heavily overlaid with covering so as to hin- 

 der ripening and confine their individual bulk. The form of head best 

 calculated to carry the largest number of berries with sufficient air room 

 for proper maturing is that which, in whatever way it is presented to the 

 eye, will appear of almost equal breadth, whether by the side or the face, 

 the face being somewhat broader than the side ; the florets should alter- 

 nate and overlap each other to about one-third of their height, should 

 stand out from the stalk at an angle of 45 degrees, and never have less 

 than two berries in each bunch or floret, some having as many as three and 

 four. A thick-set head has five sets of florets to the inch, a thin one 

 two. . 



In judging the grain of wheat, the points are so important that it will 

 be best to number and describe separately : 



1. The first thing that strikes the eye is Colour. Formerly Wheat was 

 classified by White and Red, but now when we speak of colour as a point 

 of merit in any variety it means that sort of transparency or brightness 

 which reflects light, as opposed to dulness or having a bleached appear- 

 ance. This should be uniform and not parti-coloured. 



2. Size, or evenness of sample, refers to uniformity of berries to each 

 other, not some large and others small, but nearly all alike whether large, 

 medium, or small-sized. 



3. Structure characterizes the gritty, hard, or flinty kinds from those 

 that are soft and ineally. 



4. The Skin may be thick or thin, rough or fine, and should always be 

 smooth, unless when curly from its natural fineness. 



5. The Form, or outline, of the berries should be alike, whether long, 

 short or round. 



6. The Bosom may be full and close, that is, with a well sprung rib, 

 or an open and flat one. 



7. Plumpness has no reference necessarily to one uniform outline like 

 a bag of flour, but that the berry is well filled-out, of whatever form, show- 

 ing no slackness of skin from want of food not shrivelled. 



8. Smell should not be musty or sour. 



9. The Taste should be nutty, sweet and mellow, not sour or bitter. 



10. The Germinating points should be distinct ; the base, or root end 

 prominent, and the blade end slighly hairy. 



Miscellaneous qualities : 



11. Hardy, productive, and a good miller. 



12. Weighing, after cleaning, not under 60 Ibs. per bushel. 



