WHEAT. 139 



objection when flails were in use, has become a recommendation since threshing machines 

 have been introduced. This variety has a specific gravity* 1*312. 



This variety has other recommendations : It succeeds in loam soils, bears the frost well, 

 and resists the attacks of the fly. The kernel, from its hardness, or siliceous cuticle, is 

 less injured by fall rains than many other varieties; and hence, too, it may stand in the 

 shock with very little danger of growing. It is still disposed to vegetate soon after sowing, 

 and hence may be ranked with the hardy and vigorous kinds. 



2. Improved White Flint Wheat. This variety resembles very closely the preceding. It 

 is considered by Mr. Harmon as new ; having been produced by himself, by a selection 

 of the best seed, and liming and sowing it upon a limestone soil. It is larger than the 

 White Flint; and yet the cuticle of the kernel is equally thin, delicate and white. It 

 weighs, according to the statement of Mr. Harmon, when prepared for seed, 64 lbs. to 

 the bushel. The specimen in the Agricultural Society's collection has a specific gravity 

 of 1*310, and was furnished by the improver of the White Flint, and hence may be 

 regarded as authentic. The specific gravity, however, is rather less than I should have 

 expected from the weight per bushel. Two bushels and eighteen pounds of this wheat 

 produced 106" 8 lbs. flour and 31 lbs. of bran : loss \ lb., equalling in the whole 138 lbs. 



3. White Provence Wheat (PI. XXVIII, fig. 7) . This is a French variety, and is regarded 

 as one of the finest kinds of wheat. It is without beards, and has a large white kernel 

 with a thin skin. It grows rapidly, has larger blades, and sends out a greater number of 

 straws from a root than most varieties. The straw, however, is weak, and does not sup- 

 port itself well. Specific gravity, 1*297. From its low specific gravity, I infer that it 

 weighs less to the bushel than the White and Improved Flints. Specimens in the So- 

 ciety's collections. 



4. Old Red-chaff Wheat. The Old Red-chaff has been cultivated nearly half a century. 

 It has been one of the most esteemed kinds under cultivation in this Stale. It is free 

 from a beard or awns ; has a long straw and slightly brown head, which arises from the 

 color of the chaff : its flour is, however, white. It weighs from 60 to 63 lbs. to the bushel. 

 Specific gravity, 1*313. It stands up well ; but of late, it is remarked by Mr. Harmon, 

 that it has suffered from rust and mildew, and has been injured by frosts or winterkills 

 especially on old lands. 



5. Kentucky White-bearded, Canada Flint, Hutchinson Wheat. In Western New- York, 

 it has become a favorite variety. It is considered as less valuable than the White Flint, 

 by Mr. Harmon. The bran, he says, is thicker. It spreads but little, and therefore re- 

 quires more seed. This, however, can not be regarded as an objection to the wheat. Its 



* The true weight of wheat is determined by its specific gravity. The weight of a bushel of wheat will vary with 

 the size of the kernel, and from other circumstances; while its relative weight, or that found by comparing it with 

 an equal bulk of water at a given temperature, depends upon its composition. The heavy varieties, or thosp with a 

 high specific gravity, contain more gluten than the light : the latter contain the most starch. 



