90 
Improvement of the Plants of the Farm. 
gree and Awnless barley. The following answers to my ques- 
tions apply to the peat soils of the Isle of Ely : — 
" Of all the numerous varieties of wheat the two best, taking into account 
all seasons, are the ' I'^ssex "White ' and ' Red Nursery.' The latter has proved 
of specially good quality on the jxx)rest soils, when all other kinds have been 
blighted ; but the vield is generally one or two sacks per acre below the Essex 
White. 
" The first kind was introduced by Mr. Marriage, living near Chelmsford, 
and was grown from a single fine ear selected by him. The Nursery is a very 
old variety, grown in Essex for the last forty years ; it can be sown as a spring 
wheat. I once sowed a field of it ia the middle of March and reaped it on the 
12th of August." 
Mr. C. S. Dods, Haddington, recommends Hopetoun, Fen- 
ton, Trump, and Square-head wheat ; Chevalier barley, and 
Hopetoun, Potato, and Sandy oats. At Selby, Yorkshire, the 
best varieties are Hardcastle, white ; and among red wheats, 
Browick, Square-head, and Creeping wheat ; Chevalier, Awnless, 
and Giant barley ; the two last-named from Messrs. Raynbird 
and Co. ; and Tartarian, Friesland, and Black and White 
Enfield oats. 
Mr. A. S. Wilson, Aberdeenshire, says — 
" There is considerable effort made by most farmers in this district to get 
better varieties, or rather, purer samples, for seed. 'J'he exhibits at the 
various seed shows are sold by auction and generally fetch very high prices. 
Erroneous views prevail as to weight per bushel being a test of excellence, 
and a few years ago Canadian oats, which sometimes weigh 50 lbs., were 
extensively used ; but as they have the lowest percentage of kernel of all the 
cultivated varieties, they are going out of fashion." 
At Aspatria, Cumberland, many varieties of wheat are grown 
to suit the changeable soil. The best are Creeping White, 
Norfolk Prize, Yellow Chaff, Farmer's Friend, Red with White 
Chaff. 
At Bonnington, N. B., the varieties are thus placed in the 
order of merit: UHieat : — 1. Square Headed; 2. Fenton ; 
3. Hunter's, Blood Red, Browick, Spalding, Red Chaff, Velvet, 
and other English white sorts. 
The few examples of varying character quoted from Mr. 
Shirreff's experience would suflRce to show that the production 
of a best variety for all districts is contrary to the true principles 
of improvement. If tlie increase of the productive powers of a 
plant were a process of arithmetic, or a mechanical operation, 
like adding an inch to the rim of a bushel, the improver's work 
would be easy. But a plant has life regulated by law ; and, 
having life, it is endowed with constitutional temperament, and 
the crop must depend on contingencies almost as numerous as 
those wliich affect the pliysical woll-being of man himself. The" 
plant-improver learns what is needful in different neighbour- 
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