44 
BULLETIN 1074, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
When the dorsal jDortion is less keeled than nomial the kernel is de- 
scribed as flattened. AYhere only the tip of the kernel is thus flattened 
it is described as having a flattened tip. 
The shape of the kernel has been used as a distinguishing char- 
acter by only a few authors. Koernicke and Werner {133) recorded 
the lengths and widths of the kernels and referred to some as round- 
ish or elongated. Eriksson {88) used the number of kernels in 100 
mm., 2^1'^ced side by side, to indicate the width of the kernel. This 
character is, however, of value only in comparing varieties grown 
under identical conditions. Heuze {112) described the shape of 
kernels of each variety, using such terms as elongated, short, angu- 
lar, compressed, ovoid, oblong, and swollen. Scofield {173) sug- 
gested 16 descriptive terms to be applied to the shape of wheat 
kernels. Wheat kernels can not be accurately described according 
to shape unless they are nearly normally 
developed, that is. neither shrunken nor 
excessively plump. 
GERM CHARACTERS. 
The size and shape of the germ or 
embryo of the wheat kernel have seldom 
been used as charactei^ in classification. 
After examining thousands of samples, 
the writers have concluded that the size 
of the germ is one of the most constant of 
minor kernel characters. There is con- 
siderable variation among the individual 
kernels of a bulk sample, but typical kernels of a pure variety have a 
characteristic size of germ. The germ is developed earlier than the 
endosperm and consequent!}^ is of almost normal size even in shrunken 
Fig. 13. — Germ sizes : 
midsized ; c, large, 
size and enlarged 3 
I, Small; 6, 
(Natural 
diameters.) 
The germ is here described as small, midsized, or large. These are 
shown in Figure 13. A small germ is one which occupies less than 
one-sixth of the area of the dorsal surface of the kernel or the area 
visible in dorsal view. A midsized germ occupies from one-sixth to 
one- fourth of the dorsal area of the kernel. A large germ occupies 
one-fourth or more of the dorsal area. 
The limits of the three size-groups overlap. ^lost kernels have a 
midsized germ, so these characters are not much used in distinguish- 
ing varieties. For some varieties, however, they could be used to 
advantage by men in the grain trade. 
CREASE CHARACTERS. 
The crease or sulcus on the ventral side of the wheat kernel is 
quite variable, but is of value in distinguishing a few varieties. The 
