BYE. 279 



crease, sharply pointed towards the embryo end, and charac- 

 teristically blunt at the apex. 



The percentage of protein is less than found in wheat. It 

 contains gluten, and for that reason can be made into porous 

 bread. The straw is much tougher and more flexible, less 

 palatable and nutritious than that of other cereal straws. 



It has been crossed with wheat, but only when wheat is 

 employed as the mother plant; the hybrids are usually sterile. 



Varieties. — Since it is normally cross-fertilised, there are 

 very few varieties. In northern countries winter and spring 

 varieties are grown ; in South Africa these are distinguished as 

 late and early varieties, the former being sown from March 

 until the beginning of May, and the latter as late as the middle 

 of July. 



Eequirements. — It is best suited to cooler and drier 

 climates than wheat, and will thrive on poorer and more sandy 

 soils than the other winter cereals. 



The cultural methods are similar to those employed in the 

 cultivation of wheat, but because of its hardiness it will succeed 

 with less favourable soil preparation than the latter crop. It 

 is sown at the rate of 50 to 70 pounds per acre, and must be 

 harvested for grain only when fully ripe. 



General. — The object in growing rye in the Union is 

 chiefly for grazing and soiling, for which purposes it is admir- 

 ably suited. It will also give fair returns on soils too poor for 

 the profitable cultivation of other cereals. It is surprising that 

 rye is not grown to a greater extent in this country for bread- 

 making, as, in many parts where wheat is at present grown, 

 rye would be undoubtedly more successful than the latter crop. 

 Bread made from rye flour is dark coloured, but very whole- 

 some and palatable. 



When used for soiling, the crop should be sown at intervals 

 from February to May, and should be cut before the flowers 

 appear, as at later stages the plant becomes too fibrous. Because 

 of its relatively good growth on poor soils, it is often used as a 

 green manure to renovate impoverished soils. The usual prac- 

 tice is to sow early in March, pasture with sheep during winter, 

 and to allow the crop to make a certain amount of growth in 

 spring before it is ploughed under. 



