114 



Pure and improved Varieties of 



ceeding crop of clover. The soil on which the trial was made^ 

 being derived from argillaceous schistus, is light and rich^ indi- 

 cating, however, the presence of iron ; to counteract the effect of 

 which lime has been applied. 



3rd. Hardihood and power to withstand severe winters. — This 

 wheat will withstand the most severe weather. The season 1837 

 to 1838 was a very trying one, both as to wetness and severity of 

 cold, the thermometer having fallen to 18° below freezing ; but 

 the crops of this wheat raised by my neighbours were perfectly 

 insensible to it, and of great produce. 



4th. Early maturity and time of severance of crop. — This wheat 

 is not remarkable for its early maturity, though it cannot be called 

 a tardy variety. On this occasion it was reaped about the l6th 

 of August. 



5th. Tendency to degenerate, and liabilities to disease. — From 

 my own experience, and from that of the oldest persons I have 

 consulted on the subject, this excellent wheat is not subject to 

 degenerate ; and, by bestowing on the portion of it intended for 

 seed the attention recommended in my work, and annually, or 

 even occasionally, varying the manure intended for it, it is possible 

 that it may never degenerate. 



The only objection to it is in the huskiness, or velvetty ear, 

 which in damp weather is retentive of moisture ; and in snatchy 

 seasons the grain is more apt to sprout than the smooth -chaffed 

 varieties. It is not much affected with dust-brand; and, when 

 pickled and limed as described above, has never been found with 

 smut-balls. It is little liable to shed, even when over-ripe, and 

 will resist very heavy gales without being laid or broken. In the 

 wet and stormy season, which prevailed in the Isle of Man before 

 last harvest, this was the sort which resisted it best. Its height 

 is from 4 to 5 feet, according to the soil. 



6th. Amount of produce in grain, chaff, and straiv : and the 

 relative quantities of flour and offal. — This crop produced 48 

 imperial bushels to the acre, of a very fine sample. It weighed 

 62 lbs. the imperial bushel. The straw was firm and white ; the 

 weight of it produced was 4557 lbs., and that of the chaff 315 lbs. 

 to the acre. 



Quantity of flour and offal. — The quantity of flour obtained 

 from an acre was 2402 lbs. of the finest, 126 lbs. of pollard, and 

 416 lbs. of bran. 



The bread is of a very fine quality, white, and rather of a 



