WHEAT CULTURE. 311 



On the whole, the conditions that tend to diminish the quantity of the 

 grain are those that are productive of a better quality. 



The nature and extent of the damage done to grain by bleaching was 

 tested two or three years ago, when bleached and unbleached samples of two 

 varieties (Federation and Jade — the latter no longer recommended by the 

 Department) were forwarded from Parkes. The unbleached samples were 

 harvested at the end of November, and the bleached samples were from the 

 same crops after 7£ inches of rain had fallen. Apart from colour and 

 appearance, the difference was very marked, and to the disadvantage of the 

 bleached grain, the chief difference being in the bushel weight, which was 

 lower in the case of the bleached sample of Federation by 5 lb. per bushel 

 and in the case of Jade by 3| lb. There was less difference than might be 

 expected in the actual behaviour in the mill, but the bran from the bleached 

 samples was in both cases thicker and broader, and rather greater in quan- 

 tity, while the gluten content in the bleached grain was lower, especially in 

 rhe case of Federation. 



DESCRIPTIONS OF RECOMMENDED VARIETIES. 



Bomen. 



This is a variety produced by the Department by cross-breeding. 



The cross was made at Wagga in 1901, and until fixed it was grown in the 

 bunt experiment section, where it proved itself a resistant variety. In 1910 

 it was sown in larger plots, and it has yielded well since at Wagga, and has 

 also done well at Cowra. It was not named until the Departmental con- 

 ference of 1913. Its pedigree is as follows : — 



Jonathan x Zaff (an Indian variety) 



Power's Fife x Unnamed 



(a Manitoba variety) 



Red Potocka x Unnamed 



Bomen 



Bomen's season is about the same as Warren's, and it ripens a little later 

 than Federation. It has a good head, well filled, bald and white in colour, 

 with a good length of white straw, without much dead flag. The grain is a 

 pale brown. The straw of the ripe crop has been said to " cut like sticks," 



It shows a slight tendency to shell and it is somewhat liable to frost. 



Its flour belongs to the " Medium Strong" class. 



In the farmer's experiment plots, Bomen has yielded consistently well, 

 and in some cases has beaten Federation. 



Bunyip. 



Bunyip is rather an erect, compact, quick-growing variety, which stools 

 sparsely, and is of medium height. The foliage is fairly broad, inclined to 

 be limp, and of good colour, though on the light side. The straw is yellowish 

 and stout in appearance, but it has thin walls ; sown at the proper season, 

 however, its shortness enables it to stand up satisfactorily for harvesting. 

 The ears are good, stout, well-tipped, with slight tip beards, and the grain is 

 large, plump, attractive, and yellowish-white in appearance. 



