252 



THE WHEAT CULTFEIST. 



"But procure seed from Canada. Sweden, or an v more 

 northern Ljcality. where the temperature in the average 

 is cijlcler. and the thne c»f first growing later in the 

 spring, ond harvest still later, in consequence of the 

 lower average of summer heat, and the more time 

 needed to supply the heat required ; take seed wheat 

 from such a situation to one where the growing season 

 commences earlier by reason of the recjuisite heat heing 

 earlier present, and it will not only commence its growth 

 as much earlier as the L^erminatino^ decree of heat ear- 

 lier sm'rounds it, but will ripen much earlier generally, 

 as the average heat is higher by reason of having been 

 subject to the irhole amount of the great thermal ele- 

 ment necessary to its maturity in a shorter or le^ss period 

 of time. Thus, on this Cjuestion, theory and facts ap- 

 pear to adjust themselves consistently together ; and our 

 decided conclusion is. that from farther north is the di- 

 rection seed wheat or corn, or in fact any cereal, should 

 be procured, if the object be to secm-e earlier maturity 

 in the resulting product. Cereals that ripen early fai* 

 north, will naturally and with general certainty mature 

 earlier when cultivated c^'usiderably farther south." 

 Eead Climotology offbeat, pp. 57. 79. 



Facts to Peove it. 



Old wheat-growers will contend earnestly, that facts 

 are against this theory. If they are. I have not had the 

 good fortune to meet those facts. If it can be shown 

 by well-conducted ex]3eriments that seed wheat should 

 be procured in a suuthern latitude, then we will believe 

 it. But, in order to establish such an assertion, excel- 

 lent seed must be obtained in every instance, and the 

 test made fairly, for several successive seasons. 



