16 



The World's Commercial Products 



are also very resistant to rust and other diseases, and they give heavy yields. For instance, in 

 seasons of great drought, macaroni wheats in the States have given twice and four times the 

 crop of ordinary wheat under the same conditions. They are, however, liable to be killed by 

 cold, and so in many cases can only be used as spring wheats. 



Having obtained seed of the right class of wheat it is essential to cultivate it under the best 

 conditions, and all the skill and attention of the farmer is in this case directed to conserving 

 the small quantity of moisture his land receives as rain. The cardinal principles are to have the 

 subsoil well " packed " to hold all the moisture possible, and to keep above this well compacted 

 stratum a layer of loose earth. The loose earth prevents the loss of water by evaporation, and 

 care is taken repeatedly to harrow this top layer after every shower of rain. Macaroni wheat, 

 emmer, and also other cereals thrive well under these conditions, and give large returns, as 

 much as thirty, forty, and even more bushels per acre being recorded. Properly developed, 

 the results of this practice will be very far-reaching, as there are enormous areas in the States 

 alone suitable for this type of cultivation, but on which ordinary wheats, cultivated on ordinary 

 lines, could not possibly thrive. 



The straw of wheat excels all other kinds of straw, because it is much stronger. It is, 

 therefore, by no means an unimportant product of the wheat-harvest. It is used for seat- 

 ing chairs, and stuffing straw-mattresses, while straw-carpets, string, bee-hives, baskets, 

 and other objects of wicker-work are made from it. The bearded wheat of Tuscany is often 

 cultivated especially for its straw, of which hats are made, generally known as Leghorn 

 hats, after the place of export. Straw is also used for thatching the roofs of cottages and 

 barns. 



Wheat straw, usually mixed with other food or with the wheat grain, is a useful fodder. 

 Straw that has served as litter for horses, pigs, or cows makes excellent manure. 



Wheat, after it has been separated from the ears as well as when it was still in them, has 

 numerous enemies. We immediately think of rats, mice, and birds. But there are many more 

 quite as injurious — small animals such as weevil grubs, which penetrate into the corn, and live 

 and multiply in it. To guard against these animals, firmly built, well-ventilated barns are 

 wanted, without any fissures or chinks, in which the small pests might hide. It is preferable 

 not to have a wooden floor but one of cement, and the walls should also be cemented up to 

 a certain height ; the air-holes in the roof should be protected with wire to keep birds out. 

 After all these precautions have been taken, the corn may be safely heaped up in the barns, 

 but not higher than about two feet. Now and then it, should be turned over with a spade to 

 air it. 



Large industrial firms which must have room to store considerable quantities of wheat have 



iron rooms for the purpose, 

 in which the development of 

 heat is prevented by me- 

 chanical stirring and proper 

 ventilation. In Africa and in 

 Asia the wheat is sometimes 

 kept in subterranean siloes. 

 These siloes are pits or vats 

 dug out in the soil, which is 

 very firm and dry by nature, 

 or they are improved by 

 coating them with cement ; 

 their dimensions are some- 

 times considerable, and to 

 these the farmers take the 

 threshing with oxen grain that they ha ve not sold. 



