FIELD CROPS 513 



(F B. 65, 389; Cir. 36, 1911, Dept. Ag.; Mich. St. A. E. S. 28; U. 

 Minn. A. E. S. 81, 90; N. Dak. A. E. S. 75.) 



EMMER. 



Emmer has been grown to a considerable extent as a profitable 

 field crop in portions of this country for 15 to 20 years and was 

 known to northwestern farmers probably as early as 1875 or 1880. 

 In recent years its cultivation has greatly increased. There are both 

 spring and winter varieties. 



Use of Incorrect Names for Emmer. This grain is incorrectly 

 called by various names. Even in certain reports of results of experi- 

 ments with emmer it is sometimes called spelt. The names "spelz," 

 "speltz," and "spiltz" are also often used. The most common word 

 thus wrongly used is "speltz," which does not even exist as a legiti- 

 mate word in any language. What is meant is the German word 

 "spelz," which is spelled differently and which is translated "spelt" in 

 English. True spelt, however, differs as much from emmer as pears 

 differ from apples. 



One of the characteristic qualities of this cereal, which com- 

 mends it at once to cultivators, is its ability to make a good crop with 

 almost any condition of soil or climate. Almost all varieties are 

 drought-resistant, the winter varieties are usually quite winter hardy, 

 and the damaging effects of rains upon grain at harvest time in wet 

 districts do not usually occur with this cereal. It will thrive also 

 on poor lands, in stony ground, in forest regions, and on the prairies. 

 The attacks of rusts and smuts do not affect it as they do ordinary 

 wheats. There are, however, certain conditions of soil and climate 

 under which it always gives the best results. In general the best em- 

 mer is produced and in largest quantities in prairie regions having 

 a dry climate with short hot summers. 



From the trials so far made of emmer both at the experiment 

 stations and on farms, as well as the plat experiment of this Depart- 

 ment, one may draw the following conclusions with respect to its 

 success in cultivation in this country : ( 1 ) It is most successful in 

 the Great Plains region, particularly the northern portion, in the 

 Palouse country, and in northern portions of the irrigated districts; 

 (2) in other parts of the country, however, it will often compare 

 well with other crops, and is especially able to escape damage from 

 continued wet weather at harvest time; (3) it stands up well in the 

 field ; (4) it is usually very resistant to the attacks of leaf rust, smuts, 

 and other fungi; (5) it is very resistant to drought; (6) in districts 

 where it is otherwise adapted it gives excellent yields; (7) true win- 

 ter varieties, of which there are not many, resist rather hard winters. 



Cultivation. Very little need be said on the cultivation of this 

 grain. It is probably the least exacting of all cereals in methods of 

 cultivation. It will occasionally be found to be of particular ad- 

 vantage as a sort of intermediate crop when the soil has become ex- 

 hausted by the growth of other more exacting crops. In the North 

 the usual methods of cropping with spring grains should be followed. 

 As with other grains, it will of course give better results on ground 

 plowed the previous summer. A summer fallow, however, is not re- 



