364 [Assembly 
the eggs of the fly. {Abner. Far, ii. 181). Mr. Smeltzer thinks the 
leaves of such wheat stand out horizontally from the stem, or incline 
downwards, instead of being erect, and that the egg is thus washed 
to the ground by rains. (Patent Off. Report , 1844, p. 434). The 
Hon. J. Taliaferro regards the immunity as proceeding from the 
strength and vigor of the roots, whereby the plant continues to grow, 
notwithstanding the exhaustion of its juices by the worm. (Patent 
Off. Report, 1842, App. No. 1). This theory appears to us more 
plausible and more in accordance with the facts recorded with regard 
to these varieties, than any other which has been proposed. Other 
opinions less specific, might be alluded to, but all of them are 
opinions merely, as we discover no evidence of their having been 
substantiated by a diligent investigation of this point. The reputa¬ 
tion of the Underhill wheat has already been sufficiently shown. 
This was a bearded white chaff, with a plump yellow berry, requiring 
to be thoroughly dried before grinding, and then producing flour in 
quantity and quality equal to the best of the other varieties. Its 
fly proof quality was by many supposed to be owing to the hardness 
or solidity of its straw. The fly freely deposited its eggs upon this 
wheat, but it was seldom, if ever, materially injured by it. The 
Spelter wheat ( Triticum spelta, Linn.,) was also long since re¬ 
marked as never having been injured by the^fly. This is so very 
inferior a species, that it is but little in use in this country, and only 
cultivated because it will grow well on the poorest soils, whether 
the season be wet or dry, and is free from all maladies. It has a 
long, slender, beardless head, with the chaff so firmly attached to 
the grain, that it can only be separated by passing through a mill, 
and yields a yellowish flour. It is more highly esteemed in Ger¬ 
many than in any other country, being there preferred even to all 
other kinds of wheat. The China wheat, said originally to have 
been found in a crate of imported China ware, branches and grows 
very much like rye, ripen§ at least a week earlier than other varie¬ 
ties, yields largely, (forty or fifty bushels per acre it is said,) and 
has never been known to be injured by the fly. {Pat. Off. Report, 
1844, p. 43). The Mediterranean wheat, in such high repute 
for its fly proof and other qualities, was introduced into Maryland 
in 1837. It is a slight red chaff, having a long stiff beard, a long, 
ted, and very flinty berry, and ripens about ten days earlier than 
