CONTENTS. 



THE WHEAT CHOP. 



PAGE 



History of the wheat plant, 



Different species Varieties in cultivation Hybrid wheats, &c., . 5 



Description of soils suitable, . . . . . .17 



Selection of the seed, . . . . .19 



Parts and functions of the seed, . . . . .21 



Preparation of seed Steeping Proportion Thick and thin sowing, 23 

 Methods of sowing Broadcasting, drilling, and dibbling, . . 27 



Comparative advantages of do. do. . . 31 



Process of germination Early growth Reproductive powers of wheat, 33 

 Conditions of soil necessary, . . . . . .39 



Tillage Lois-Weedon system, ..... 41 



Growth of crop Top- dressings, &c. Feeding down by sheep, . 43 



Hoeing By hand or horse labour, . . . .47 



Indications of maturity, . . . . . .49 



Proper period of cutting Different methods compared The reaping 



machine, . . . . . . . .51 



Size and arrangement of stooks Shape and size of stacks, &c., . 57 



Thrashing, by man, horse, and steam-power, . . . .61 



Diseases affecting wheat "Smut," "Bunt," "Bust," "Mildew," and 



" Berberry Blight," 65 



Insects injuring wheat "wireworm," "wheat-midge," "thrips," 



"saw-fly," aphis, and corn-bugs, " Vibrio tritici," . . 73 



Weevils injuring the grain, . . . . . .81 



Chemistry of wheat, . . . . . . .83 



THE BARLEY CROP, 



History of the barley plant, ... . 95 



Range of climates suitable, ... 97 



Botanical division of genus, . , . . . .99 



Varieties in cultivation, . . . . . 101 



Description of soils suitable, ........ 109 



Arrangement of roots, and their functions, . . . Ill 



Habit of growth of barley roots, ..... 113 



Place in the rotation, . . . . . .115 



Selection of seed Period of sowing Methods of sowing, . .117 



Theory of germination explained Early growth of plant, . . 123 



