486 



Red Fife Wheat. 



[NOV., 



atmosphere is more humid that at other times of the year. 

 One well-known grower reports that by observing these pre- 

 cautions he sold Fife straw on account of its bright clean 

 appearance for 2s. per load more than he could obtain for 

 Square Head's Master grown alongside. As a rule Fife straw 

 weighs well in proportion to bulk, probably on account of the 

 absence of flag already referred to. 



Quality. — Fife continues to fulfil the highest expectations 

 as to its ability to maintain intact its superb quality. Every 

 report received without exception testifies to its great strength. 

 It should be borne in mind that this sort was tested in the bad 

 harvest of 1902 and in the very wet year but fairly good 

 harvest of 1903, as well as under the favourable climatic 

 conditions of the succeeding harvests ; but in each year 

 Fife has maintained its great relative superiority over all 

 sorts of English origin. The samples of it grown in 1906 

 in all parts of England have varied in quality, but almost 

 invariably within narrow limits. Almost all proved to be 

 as strong as the highest of imported Manitoba wheats when 

 comparative tests have been made simultaneously by the 

 same baker, and the production of this maximum strength 

 has been effected on light as well as heavy soils. Even on 

 two soils described as " light sand," the strength of the 

 flour was very greatly superior to the best of ordinary English 

 wheats. Ordinarily Fife appears to be strong, and is so ; 

 but one case was noticed in which Fife, which appeared to 

 be no stronger than ordinary English wheat grown along- 

 side it, was, in fact, when tested twice in the bakehouse, 

 very much superior to the ordinary English. This clearly 

 indicates the power which Fife possesses of extracting some- 

 thing from its natural surroundings which confers on it the 

 inherent quality of strength, and it is thought that Fife is 

 likely to maintain its strength in England indefinitely. 



