208 SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



in Exercise 24. These may be secured by running the 

 wheat through the fanning mill, which removes not only 

 the small, shriveled and broken kernels, but many of the 

 weed seeds as well. Uniformity, freedom from weed 

 seed and other foreign matter, soundness, weight per 

 bushel and hardness are all taken into consideration in 

 selecting seed wheat. 



We may compare and judge samples, and in this way 

 become familiar with our leading small grain. 



EXERCISE 47 



Object. — To compare and judge two samples of seed 

 wheat. 



Procedure. — Procure two samples of wheat, each to con- 

 sist of a quart or more . Mark them " No . 1 " and " No . 2 ." 



Compare them with regard to uniformity, freedom from 

 foreign matter, including weed seeds, soundness, weight 

 per bushel and hardness as directed below : 



(1) Uniformity. — The kernels should be uniform in 

 size, shape and color; and in judging the sample, the 

 prevailing size, shape and color should be used as a basis. 

 The term color as used here relates to the natural color 

 of the kernels. It follows that we do not hold it against 

 a sample at this stage if discolored kernels are present, 

 for' the reason that discoloration of kernels will be con- 

 sidered later under soundness. In determining the pre- 

 vailing size, shape and color, count out one hundred kernels 

 and sort them out in piles according to the differences 

 which they show in this respect. 



The reason for making uniformity an important factor 

 in judging grains is that it is our only reliable guide as to 

 the purity of the variety. If varieties are mixed, we find 

 that the size, the shape, or the color, or perhaps all three, 

 will be variable. 



