GRAIN AND ITS CULTIVATION. 129 



own weight of water, when manufactured into bread or bis- 

 cuit, than their own ; and another reliable authority asserts, 

 that while 14 Ibs. of American flour will make 21 h Ibs of 

 bread, the same quantity of English flour will make only 

 18i Ibs. 



As a general rule, the drier or hotter the climate in which 

 the grain is raised, the greater is the evaporation, and the 

 more condensed is the farina of the grain, and consequently 

 the more moisture it is capable of absorbing when again ex- 

 posed to it. Certain varieties of wheat possess this quality 

 in a higher degree than others. Some manures and some 

 soils also give a difference with the same seed ; but for or- 

 dinary consumption, the market value (which is the great 

 consideration with the farmer), is highest for such wheat as 

 gives the largest quantity of bright flour, with a due pro- 

 portion of gluten. Other prominent differences exist among 

 the leading cultivated varieties of wheat, such as the bearded 

 and bald or beardless ; the white and red chaff; those hav- 

 ing large and strong stalks ; or a greater or a less tendency 

 to tiller or to send out new shoots. There is great room for 

 selection in the several varieties, to adapt them to the differ- 

 ent soils, situations, and climate for which they are designed. 



Preparation of the land for sowing. Wheat is partial to 

 a well-prepared clay or heavy loam, and this is improved, 

 when it contains either naturally or artificially, a large pro- 

 portion of lime. Many light, and all marly or calcareous 

 soils, if in proper condition, will give a good yield of wheat. 

 Lime is an important aid to the full and certain growth of 

 wheat, checking its exuberance of straw and liability to 

 rust, and steadily aiding to fill out the .grain. A rich, mel- 

 low turf or clover ley is a good bed for it ; or land which 

 has been well manured and cleanly cultivated in roots or 

 corn the" preceding year. 



Fresh barn-yard manure applied directly to the wheat crop, 

 is objectionable, not only from its containing many foreign 

 seeds, but from its tendency to excite a rapid growth of weak 

 straw, thus causing the grain both to lodge and rust. The 

 same objection lies against sowing it on rich, alluvial or vege- 

 table soils ; and in each, the addition of lime or ashes, or both, 

 will correct these evils. A dressing of charcoal, has in 

 many instances, been found an adequate preventive ; and so 

 beneficial has it proved in France, that it has been extensive- 

 ly introduced there for the wheat crop. A successful exam- 

 ple of uninterrupted cropping with wheat, through several 

 6* 



