WHEAT CULTU*L. 359 



(' Vegetable Teratology,' page 316), and is defined as follows: — \ An irregu- 

 lar twisting or bending of the stem or branches, the inducing causes being 

 often some restriction to growth in certain directions, or the undue or dis- 

 proportionate growth in one direction as contrasted with that in another.' " 



Unfortunately the kinking of wheat straw, due to the attack of aphides, 

 or due to an abnormal growth contingent on an irregular rainfall, does not 

 admit of the application of remedial measures. 



Mr. Pridham has called attention to another abnormal growth, seen in 

 some seasons when late rains come, viz., the formation of additional spike- 

 lets in the ear, giving it a crowded appearance. Seeds planted from these 

 ears do not again produce ears with additional spikelets unless identically 

 similar weather conditions occur during growth. 



A specimen showing a somewhat similar condition was met with during 

 1921, and is illustrated in Fig. 25, the difference being that the contortion 

 was located at the base of the ear. Its occurrence was observed to be con- 

 fined to wet spots. No causal organism was found associated with the 

 condition. 



INSECT PESTS OF WHEAT. 



The more common insect pests of wheat are also pests of niair.e, and ar 

 dealt with under that crop (see page 429). 



