572 AGRICULTURE. 



the botanical family of grasses. It is not found in a wild state, 

 and its origin is unknown. Wheat grows in almost every kind 

 of climate. It is commonly known under two distinct heads, 

 spring and winter wheat, each divided into many varieties. The 

 cultivation of wheat antedates history, and its existence is traced 

 beyond the most ancient monuments. 



Wheat was introduced into the United States in 1602, when 

 it was sown on the Elizabeth Islands, in Massachusetts. In 

 1611 it was sown in Virginia, and in 1648 many hundreds of 

 acres were cultivated in the colony. In 1746 it became an 

 article of export. Spring wheat was known in England as early 

 as 1666, but has been much neglected. In the United States 

 it is grown largely in the West, and is considered valuable for 

 making flour. As a rule, the kernel is not as large as that of 

 the winter variety. It contains more gluten, and makes a flour 

 of a different quality and flavor, and brings a lower price in the 

 market. Sir John Sinclair says that, from 1767 to 1812, it was 

 a practice with the best Scotch farmers to sow fall wheat in 

 spring, from February to April, though March was generally 

 the favorite month. The real spring wheat does not appear 

 to have been generally known in that country till the beginning 

 of this century. Though sown in April or May, it ripened as 

 early as winter-sown wheat. It was not, however, so productive 

 as winter wheat, sown either in winter or spring, and the ears 

 were shorter. There are many nominal varieties in the United 

 States, the best probably being the Italian, the Siberian bald, 

 or tea wheat, and the Black Sea wheat. Of this last there are 

 again two varieties, the red and the white chaff, both of which 

 are bearded. It is not known that the practice of sowing fall 

 wheat in spring has ever. prevailed in this country, though there 

 is no apparent reason why it should not succeed as well as in 

 Scotland, and be profitable in certain localities. 



In the Northern States it is considered important that spring 

 wheat should be sown as early as the season will permit. The 

 soil may be lighter than for the fall variety ; it ought to be in 

 good condition, and is generally better if it has been plowed 

 and laid up dry in the fall. From one and a half to two bushels 

 is the proper quantity of seed per acre; more generally the 



