82 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



growth and maturing. The remark that succeeding 

 generations of spring-sown wheat ripen better, ia 

 important, and should be kept in mind by all who 

 have attempted the growth of winter wheat as 

 spring wheat. Loudon says, " In the cultivation of 

 spring-sown winter wheat, it is of importance to use 

 the products of spring-sown grain as seed, as the 

 crop of such grain ripens about a fortnight earlier 

 than when the produce of the same wheat, winter- 

 sown, is employed as spring seed." By thus short- 

 ening the period required for its growth, in the 

 course of a few generations spring wheat is pro- 

 duced ; and when the original winter wheat is of a 

 good variety, the spring wheat will possess the same 

 qualities. If, as we are confident might be done, the 

 white flint could be converted into a spring wheat, 

 retaining its present flouring qualities, an incalcula- 

 ble benefit would result to the country. 



The different varieties of wheat have a constant 

 tendency to change or deteriorate, owing to bad 

 seed, improper soils, and crosses with other and, 

 perhaps, inferior varieties. But this tendency can 

 be counteracted by choosing the best wheat, and 

 that grown on soils the most congenial to the plant, 

 for seed ; and in this way any desirable variety may 

 be kept good for any length of time. Within a few 

 years, several new varieties (the result of careful 

 cultivation), possessing superior qualities, have been 

 introduced into England and this country. Varie- 

 ties may be increased to any extent in the following 

 manner: Select from a field of wheat a root or a 

 simple spike that possesses the qualities of straw, 

 berry, colour, weight, time of ripening, &c., desired. 

 From the ear or ears thus selected, choose the best 

 sized and proportioned kernels, and sow them in a 

 soil suitable for wheat, and where the plants will be 

 secure. When the produce of these is ripe, select 

 the best ears and best grains, and continue sowing 

 until a bushel or two of the desired quahty is ob- 



