INFLORESCENCE AND HARVEST INDICATIONS. 177 



of any atmospheric influences that may occur at this 

 always critical period. The plants at this time, according 

 to the observations of Boenninghausen, 1 owing to the abun- 

 dant inflorescence, appear to be surrounded by a cloud of 

 fine particles of fecundating dust (pollen), which may 

 readily be destroyed by the rain, or driven away by any 

 wind occurring at this moment, and the proper fecunda- 

 tion of the florets be greatly affected by it. Boenninghausen 

 found that, in districts where rye was in general cultiva- 

 tion, the plants in fields of small extent were always less 

 perfectly fecundated than where a larger quantity was 

 grown together ; and, also, that where the field was shel- 

 tered from the action of the wind, the results were always 

 more favourable than in exposed situations. The grain- 

 produce at harvest- time, of course, is determined by the 

 successful impregnation of the florets at this critical period 

 of the plant's existence. 



In about five or six weeks after this period is passed, the 

 grain is matured and ready for cutting, the straw having 

 changed from its usual green colour to a palish yellow. As 

 soon as this indication is given it may be cut while even the 

 nodes or knots are quite green, or it may be left standing 

 until this colour disappears also. It generally requires but 

 little time in the stook, as both the straw and the chaff are 

 of a more solid and drier nature than the straw of the other 

 grain crops, and, of course, should be carted and stacked as 

 soon as possible. The harvest operations generally have 

 been described, and rye offers no exceptions to the general 

 rules given; and when in bulk (stacked), its quantity may 

 be estimated at the same rate as that given for barley at 

 p. 1 28. The erect habit of growth and toughness of straw 

 render it particularly suitable to the operation of the 

 "reaping machine;" while the large amount of green food 

 it produces in the spring, and the early period at which it 



1 Culture des Grains, par Scliwerz, p. 194. 



