SOME EXPERIMENTAL FOODS 239 



is being planted in Louisiana to replace oats because it is not 

 affected by rust. 



Some of the yields recorded are enormous, varying from 

 40 to 104 bushels per acre under dry farming, and as high 

 as 152 bushels under irrigation. 



One stalk of Turkey red wheat was noticed as differing in 

 many ways from all varieties, principally that the head was 

 over eight inches in length, whereas the ordinary Turkey 

 red wheat commonly used in the West has a head of only 

 four or five inches. 



From this one stalk has been developed the Buffum No. 

 17 Winter wheat. The heavy beards were eliminated and 

 the grains or kernels in each spikelet increased from the nor- 

 mal number of three to five, seven, and even nine. The 

 hardiness of the new variety, together with its remarkably 

 large head, means that when it is placed on the market the 

 farmers who sow it need not fear winter killing and will 

 have a splendid flouring grain, which will produce nearly 

 double the average crop per acre. 



It is said that if a single kernel could be added to each 

 head of wheat, the increase in annual production of this 

 country would amount to over fifteen million bushels. 



If fodder crops can be substituted for a part of the corn 

 now used for stock, it will be a great gain. 



In his alfalfa-breeding garden, Professor Buffum is raising 

 over seventy different kinds, gathered from all parts of the 

 world, showing that the plant is capable of wide variations. 

 One hybrid has been obtained by crossing sweet clover with 

 alfalfa ; the clover grows wild in every state in the Union. 



There seems to be no limit to man's ingenuity and skill in 

 plant improvement. Perhaps sometime we will try it with 

 our children. 



