Seed Wheat. 



Against this opinion on the part of farmers, we must place that of the numerous 

 experts and specialists in this country, among them the writer, that these varieties are 

 not absolutely the best wheats. 



No name was known for 6*5 per cent, of the samples collected. To this figure may be 

 added the number that were submitted under wrong names, and though there is no 

 evidence to show precisely what this latter number is, there can be no doubt that it 

 reaches a considerable magnitude. I consider it to be quite safe to say that the samples 

 unnamed or incorrectly named would constitute 20 per cent, of all the samples collected. 

 This evidence that 20 per cent, of our farmers are sowing " wheat " shows that we have 

 yet a great deal to do in spreading elementary knowledge concerning one of our most 

 important agricultural industries. 



The samples that were manifestly mixed or slightly mixed constitute 45 per cent, of 

 the whole number collected. This mixture of different varieties in our seed wheat is a 

 serious obstacle to progress. How will it ever be possible to judge of the relative merits 

 of varieties under such conditions ? If we have no means, or imperfect means, of judging 

 the relative value of varieties, how are we to make satisfactory progress in the intro- 

 duction of better varieties ? 



The percentage of bunted samples was seven. This shows that the various methods 

 of combating this, the second most important of our wheat diseases, are probably made 

 use of widely and with good effect. There is no reason why, if farmers would 

 systematically make use of the means now at their command, this disease should not be 

 practically eradicated. The. production of seed wheat by the methods advocated by the 

 officers of the Department and practised at the experiment farms, together with the 

 use of the various fungicidal treatments that experience has shown to be efficient would 

 practically annihilate this disease in the State in five years time. 



The best samples were handed in under the names White Lammas and Steinwedel. 

 This is in accord with the results of the three years' tests formerly made on the 

 principal varieties grown in the State, both these varieties standing high in that series 

 of tests. Incidentally, this gives corroboration to the names under which the samples 

 were handed in, and is one of several points that have given me sufficient confidence in 

 the nomenclature of these samples to base certain reasoning upon it. 



SAMPLES OF NEW "SOUTH WALES SEED WHEAT, GRADED TO SHOW 



QUALITY, 1897-8. 



NOTE. The higher the figures in the left-hand columns the better the sample. 



