90 
Report of the First Assistant.* 
WHEAT VARIETIES ; THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 
Notwithstanding the varieties of wheat are quite susceptible to 
variations brought about through the influence of climate, soil, and 
culture, or.other means, there are certain specific features in the 
well pronounced varieties that insure, under ordinary conditions, 
their continuance in future generations. The so-called varieties of 
wheat are so numerous, and the confusion of names is so great | 
that it seems desirable to reduce the multiplicity of names and to 
establish synonyms giving each true variety a proper place in a 
classification that might enable the agriculturist to determine the 
characteristics of the same. The task necessary to accomplish such 
a work, if it can be done at all, requires years of study and a famil- 
larity with forms, varieties and species in all their details, as grown 
at home and abroad. Asa result of work done at the Station, we 
are able to present descriptions of a number of varieties of wheat, 
which we place in the simplest kind of classification, as merely offer- 
ing a convenient form for reference. The difference between the 
bearded and beardless is clearly distinguishable, likewise the white 
(or more properly speaking yellow) and bronze panicle. These two 
prominent features, color and form, will answer for such a classifi- 
cation as we at present wish to present. Synonyms are given in 
italics. All of the descriptions given are as taken in the field. 
Careful measurements were made, and counts taken on scores of 
plants of each variety. The descriptions are intended to apply to 
plants grown at the Station, and the source from which the seed 
was obtained, is noted in parenthesis, after each name. Ohio Ex. 
Sta. signifies Ohio Experiment Station ; Bradley refers to John 
Bradley, Lyons, N. Y.; Pat. Bro’s. to Patterson Bro’s., Windfall, 
Ind:; Eastman to W. L. Eastman, Ovid, N.Y., and Everitt to J. 
A. Everitt, Watsontown, Pa., to all of whom we wish to express 
our indebtedness for favors received. The averages given both in 
spikelets and grains, represent the numbers referred to as being far 
more common than any other, the others being the extremes. 
Though the number of grains per spikelet are usually three, very 
marked instances occur in varieties in which two or four strongly 
predominate. ‘‘Spring growth” refers to the condition of the 
plant prior to the development of the culm. The signs —, {, or 
+ indicate whether the measurements tend to less, more or less, or 
slightly more than the figures given, — being minus sign, { plus or 

*C. S. Plumb. 
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