CLASSIFICATION OF AMERICAN WHEAT VARIETIES. 51 



hollow, but occasionally is pithy within, and varies in strength and 

 height. The blades of the leaves are usually narrower than those of 

 the durum and poulard wheats. The kernels may be either soft or 

 hard. 



The greatest economic characteristic of common wheat is its well- 

 known quality for bread making, as it excels all the other divisions 

 in this important factor. It is also the best known and most widely 

 cultivated of all the divisions and comprises more than four-fifths 

 of the total number of varieties grown in the United States. More 

 than 180 are distinguished by the following key. The varieties are 

 most nearly related to the club wheats {Triticum corny actum) , but 

 this separation of Host {119) is here used principally because of the 

 greater density of the spike. 



Common wheat is widely adapted to varying climatic conditions 

 and possesses more diverse characteristics than any of the other 

 divisions. The cultivated varieties are distinguished by the accom- 

 panying key. 



KEY TO THE VARIETIES OF COMMON WHEAT. 



la. Spike Awnless. 



2a. Glumes Glabrous. 

 3a. Glumes White 



4a. Kernels White ( Triticum vulgar e albidum AL). 

 Kernels Short to Midlong. 

 Kernels Soft to Semihard. 

 Winter Habit. 



Spike fusiform. Page. 



Plant midtall ; spike dense, erect Winter Bluestem 58 



Plant tall; spike lax, nodding Martin 58 



Spike oblong. 

 Spike erect. 



Keel straight above. 



Shoulders narrow, oblique to 



square Prohibition 59 



Shoulders wide, square to ele- 

 vated Greeson 60 



Keel incurved above. 



Spike blunt at apex White Winter 60 



Spike tapering at apex Challenge 60 



Spike sometimes slightly cla- 



vate Eaton 61 



Spike inclined to nodding White Wonder 61 



Spike clavate Satisfaction 61 



Spring Habit. 

 Spike fusiform 



Plant early, short. 



Apical awns wanting Early Defiance 62 



Apical awns several, 2-15 mm. long. Colorado No. 50 62 



Plant midseason, midtall. 



Apical awns wanting Touse 62 



Apical awns few, straight Defiance 63 



Apical awns many, incurved Rink 64 



Spike oblong. 



Plant early, midtall Bunytp 64 



Plant m dseason, tall. 



Glumes yellowish Pacific Bluestem 65 



Glumes bronze Mexican Bluestem 66 



