WHEAT. 141 



17. Aguira Wheat. This kind was brought, two or three years since, from Spain, by 

 F. Townsend, esquire, of Albany. It is a very beautiful kind, the kernel being large 

 and white. Specific gravity, l - 394. Its weight approximates more closely to the cele- 

 brated English kinds, than any of the preceding. 



18. Verplanck Wheat (PI. XXIX) . In richness of appearance, this wheat excels most 

 others which I have noticed. Its kernel is very large and white ; the head long, large, and 

 well filled. The straw is large, and tall in proportion, being at least four and a half feet. 

 The grain, however, is light, as will be seen from its low specific gravity, which only attains 

 1*261. I am not informed how it is regarded by the wheat-growers of Western New-York. 



B. SPRING WHEAT. 



1. Italian Spring Wheat (PI. XXVII, fig. 18)1 This kind, which at first was esteemed, 

 has so far deteriorated as to be neglected. 



2. Tea Wheat, Siberian Wheat (PI. XXVII, fig. 3) . As a spring wheat, it is regarded 

 as a very good variety ; giving a white berry, and fine white flour. It is not subject to rust. 



3. Black-Sea Wheat. The advantages arising from the culture of this wheat, are, that 

 it escapes the fly, ripens early and rarely mildews. Its disadvantage is that it yields a 

 dark flour of an inferior quality. Its specific gravity is 1*341. In Vermont, Massachusetts 

 and Maine, it is often sown, as it is less liable to a failure than the finer varieties. 



4. Rock Wheat (PI. XXVIII, fig. 1). This is a Spanish wheat, and has been cultivated 

 more than forty years. The chaff is white, but the berry is red. Where the finer kinds 

 are uncertain, this has been cultivated with success. 



5. Black-bearded Wheat (PI. XXVII, fig. 14). Awns long and stiff ; heads heavy ; straw 

 large, and berry red and large ; hardy. 



6. Red-bearded Wheat. Awn red, and standing out from the head; kernel white; chaff 

 red. Yields a gocd flour. A bushel weighs from 60 to 62 pounds. It succeeds best on 

 stiff clay loams. It has yielded 44 bushels to the acre. Its beard is objectionable. 



7. Scotch Wheat (PI. XXVIII, fig. 11). Its origin is unknown. Berry large, and re- 

 sembles the Indiana ; straw large. 



8. Egyptian Wheat, California Wheat. The peculiarities of this kind are, that it has a 

 large branching head, as many as six or seven branches, bearded; berry small, with a 

 thick cuticle or bran. Its flour has a harsh coarse feel and a yellowish color, which re- 

 sembles that of barley. It has not met with much favor. 



9. Talavera Wheat (PI. XXVII, fig. 16) . Awnless ; chaff white ; straw long, white 

 and stiff; heads large, long and well filled. Specific gravity, 1*306. It is not sufficiently 

 hardy to stand severe winters. It is frequently injured by the fly. 



