168 



ESSAYS ON "WHEAT 



An inspection of the Table shows us that the percentage 

 of the total wheat crop contributed by Marquis increased 

 from 1914 to 1917 : in Minnesota from 3 to 46 per cent. ; in 

 I^orth Dakota from 5 to 43 per cent. ; in South Dakota 

 from 3 to 43 per cent. ; and in Montana from some small 

 unrecorded amount to 45 per cent. Stated more generally, 

 the figures indicate that Marquis increased in popularity 

 in the great central spring-wheat region to such an extent 

 that, although it formed less than 5 per cent, of the total 

 crop in 1914, by 1917 it had come to form nearly one- 

 half the total crop. But even this does not mark the final 

 triumph of Marquis over its competitors, for it was again 

 sown last spring in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, 

 and Montana, in greatly increased measure. The actual 

 figures for 1918 will not be available for some months, 

 but Mr. C. E. Ball, of the Office of Cereal Investigations 

 at Washington, has informed the writer that he believes 

 that Marquis this year will contribute at least 65 per cent, 

 to the total wheat crop of these four States, and possibly 

 a little more. 



It is interesting to note how the other varieties of wheat 

 have withstood the onslaught of the invader from the north 

 in the struggle for supremacy. Velvet Chaff (Preston) 

 has about maintained its position in ITorth Dakota but has 

 decreased in Minnesota by 13 per cent, of its original 

 amount in 1914, and in South Dakota by 35 per cent. 

 Bluestem and Fife (Ked Fife, Scotch Fife, etc.), have 

 suffered disastrously. Bluestem, which in 1914 was facile 

 princeps among the wheat sorts of Minnesota and IvTorth 

 Dakota, and which shared an equal rule with Velvet Chaff 

 in South Dakota, has decreased its crop since 1914: in 

 Minnesota by 65 per cent., in Worth Dakota by 73 per 

 cent., and in South Dakota by 63 per cent. It is evident 

 that Marquis is rapidly replacing Bluestem in these States 



