GOOD AND BAD SAMPLES. 187 



found capable of being separated from the chaff if rubbed 

 in the hands, and if so, 'they may be safely reaped, and 

 will become fully ripe while standing in sheaf. Small 

 sheaves are preferred to large ones, especially if the 

 season prove rainy. They are soon dried after a storm, 

 and are, therefore, less liable to damage. When wheat 

 is secured in a really good condition, the grains, whether 

 the crop be of red or white wheat, are plump, with a 

 fine smooth skin, and a bright colour, free from specks 

 or cloudiness. In the best samples the grains are also of 

 uniform size, without bruises or holes. When hard and 

 flinty, they are sometimes preferred by the common 

 baker, as affording what is called strong flour ; but for 

 finer purposes the grain should be quite opaque. A 

 mixture of the two kinds of grain is said to make su- 

 perior bread. The purchaser is seldom so little expe- 

 rienced in his task, as not to be able readily to detect 

 damaged wheat. When it has been heated in the stack, 

 he readily discovers in it a bitter flavour : and when it 

 has been in salt water, he finds a saltness of taste. If 

 artificial means have been employed to give the grain 

 a round and plump appearance, a quick eye will speedily 

 discover that the ends have been rubbed down. If it is 

 old stock, and has lain long in the granary, a dull and 

 dirty appearance, or a musty smell, will betray the fact. 

 Arid if it has suffered from the attacks of that insidious 

 enemy, the corn-weevil, its deficiency in weight, and 

 also the holes bored by the insect in making its escape, 

 will plainly reveal the mischief. 



When wheat is in a fit condition for carrying, it is 

 brought home load by load, and formed into stacks. 

 The foundation of the stack is generally made on a 

 platform of wood or iron, in order that this valuable 

 grain may not suffer from the moisture of the soil, or 

 the attacks of rats or mice. Of late years a frame made 

 entirely of iron, and supported upon iron columns, has 

 been introduced, and much approved. It can be 

 readily taken to pieces, and put together when wanted, 



