170 



SKETCHES OF KURAL AFFAIRS. 



compound ear, composed of several spikelets. In its 

 native country, and also in Italy, it produces six or 

 seven ears on one stalk ; but when grown in unfavour- 

 able circumstances, it degenerates and assumes the 



BEARDED \VIIITE TUSCANY 

 WHEAT. 



EGYPTIAN WHEAT. SPELT WHEAT. 



appearance of ordinary spring wheat. It would proba- 

 bly be cultivated to some extent in the warmer portions 

 of this country, if the form of the ear did not cause 

 it to hold the wet at harvest time, and thus to receive 

 damage. 



The peculiar growth of this kind of wheat explains 



