DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SEED-WHEATS. 7 



ciently describing every variety of grains in cultivation," 

 to attain which most desirable end Mr. Fyfe suggests the 

 use of the microscope, while prudently pointing out that 

 " trial and experience will alone determine their suitable- 

 ness for any given soil, climate, or situation, for any estab- 

 lished system of cultivation, or any new and experimental 

 method of growth ; " he says, and says truly, that " in the 

 first instance it is surely of some moment to know what 

 the seeds really are, and to make a study of their charac- 

 teristics." 



5. As regards the different varieties of Seed-ivheats little 

 need here be given further than to glance at the names 

 and leading peculiarities of those generally cultivated in 

 this country, following here the classification and selection 

 adopted in the paper from which we have quoted. Of the 

 white wheats thirty varieties are named. These are Archer's 

 prolific and Australian wheat this last has created some 

 attention amongst growers of late, in the hope that, main- 

 taining its characteristics of early growth, " the period of 

 our harvest might be altogether accelerated." This in some 

 trials of it has been realised, Mr. Fyfe mentioning an in- 

 stance where it ripened a month before the usual time ; in 

 other trials the hope has, however, not been realised. In 

 some, indeed, of which we ourselves have been cognisant, 

 the per-centage of ruined or non-germinated seeds was 

 alarmingly large ; and it does not follow that because a 

 wheat may possess characteristics favourable to early 

 growth and prolific powers in one climate, it will show 

 these in another. The cultivation of Australian wheat has 

 been undertaken largely by the Continental Agricultural 

 Societies, specially that of the Belgium Central Society. 

 Seed has been widely distributed, and every means taken 

 to arrive at a just estimate of its value. The following 

 paper, from the pen of M. Vogelhanger in one of the foreign 

 Journals, will be of service here. 



" The diversity of opinions given on the subject of 

 wheat from Australia, and the request which you made me 

 with regard to my personal information, require me to give 



