WHEAT 17 



STOOLING 



In wheat and nearly all cereals and grasses more 

 than one stem is formed from each seedling. This 

 is called stooling or tillering. It is a characteristic 

 to be encouraged in small grains. It is due to 

 the branching of the stem below the ground just 

 after the permanent roots are formed. Each 

 branch soon forms its own roots. Cool, damp 

 weather during the early growth of the grain 

 favors stooling, as does also a fertile soil. Furrow 

 planting (listing) of small grains seems to favor 

 stooling, but in the case of corn it appears to 

 retard the tendency to " sucker." Thick seeding 

 checks the vigor of individual plants and reduces 

 stooling. However the thickly planted grain may 

 mature earlier and more evenly, and may make 

 larger yields. The character of soil, the moisture 

 supply, temperature and altitude affect the stool- 

 ing habit, the cooler drier climates being favor- 

 able. The amount of seed sown- per acre varies. 

 Thin seeding gives hardier, stronger plants, larger 

 stools with stronger and deeper feeding roots, and 

 is preferred in dry climates and for the less fertile 

 soils. 



THE GRAIN 



The wheat grain is a dry, indehiscent fruit 

 which has the pod and a single seed incorporated 

 in one body. Such a fruit is called a caryqpsis. 

 The grain is about two and a half times as long 

 as it is broad, with a hairy apex, oval in shape but 

 slightly compressed laterally, with a furrow or 

 groove on the side opposite the embryo caused by 



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