178 HOW TO GROW GOOD COIIN. 



are apparently in a monstrous form, the ends being three-lobed, and 

 curved back in the form of horns, which sometimes extend into awns. 

 It has been introduced from the Himalaya Mountains within a few 

 years, but its economical qualities remain to be determined."* 



We have had opportunities, through the kindness of 

 Professor Lindley, who contributed seeds, of cultivat- 

 ing all the forms just described; but our experiments 

 for two years did not elicit anything new upon the 

 subject : we therefore feel justified in quoting the 

 above entire, especially as the different forms in our 

 plots afforded sufficient evidence of an uniformity of 

 origin on the one hand, with every disposition for 

 forming varieties on the other. 



Rye (Secale cereale). — For the little that is known 

 of the natural history and origin of this crop-plant 

 we again quote from the Cyclopaedia of Agriculture, 

 which states as follows : — 



" The common rye is a cereal grass, distinguished from wheat by 

 its narrow glumes and constantly twin narrow florets, with a mem- 

 branous abortion between them. Otherwise it is little different in 

 structure, although the quality of its grain is so inferior. According 

 to Karl Koch, it is found undoubtedly wild on the mountains of the 

 Crimea, especially all around the village of Dshimil, on granite, at the 

 elevation of from 5,000 to 6,000 feet. In such places, its ears are not 

 more than 1 to 2| inches long. Its native country explains the 

 reason why it is so much hardier than any variety of wheat, the 

 southern origin of which is now ascertained." 



We have not seen any of this so-called wild rye ; it 

 would, however, be of great service could some good 

 experiments be made with it, with a view of noting 

 the changes which take place on cultivation. Indeed, 

 we have long wished for authentic examples of all 



* Cyclopcedia of Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 68. 



