SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
The Making and Improvement of 
Wheats. 
By HUGH PYE.* 
(I) 
mission is to stimulate the imagination of the 
wheat-grower in respect to the practical bearing of 
» plant-breeding and selection on the progress of his 
life-work. ‘To impress him with the marvellous strides 
made, during less than a century, in plant development, 
and the need for still greater progress. To impress 
him, too, that he has his part to act, side by side with 
the plant-breeder, in enriching the store of human 
knowledge, by bringing to bear keen observation and intelligence, 
acquired by being in an environment where he can note every phase of 
the life of the plants he grows. A farmer has only to begin the work 
in earnest and the results obtained will convince him that his few stud 
plots are an inspiration to real and lasting success, and that their 
establishment is an almost essential part of his farm practice, and will 
prove a profitable investment. His intelligent son, or daughter, with 
a little encouragement, would become so absorbed in the work, that on 
the farm would be the only place worth living. The city would have 
fewer attractions. 
Why different Varieties may be Grown in Adjacent Rows. 
Wheat is a self-fertilizing plant under normal conditions, hence 
several varieties may be grown in adjacent rows without there being 
any cross-fertilization, though on a few rare occasions this happens, 
as when thrips have eaten the pollen cases, or they are sterile in pollen. 
Then the floret opens, and the stigma may catch any wind-blown pollen. 
| The Farmer doing his Part. 
If we could discern more closely, it would be noticed that in what is 
practically a pure crop, individual differences would be observed among 
the plants of the crop, and in some instances marked differences will be 
noted. It is with these plants the farmer may do good work in estab- 
lishing new strains. Many farmers have done so in the past; more 
should do it in the future. 
The great advantage a farmer has in improving a variety that has 
been proved to be suitable to his soil and climate, is the fact that there 
is less loss of vitality in the variety by continuously growing it, where 
proper rotations and cultivation are adopted, and the strain is improved 
by continuous selection. Thus, at the College, there are grown under 
these conditions varieties that have not been changed, except by selec- 
tion within the varieties, for the last 25 years; and when tested against 
introduced seed of similar ones, give much better yields. This is due 
to the fact that the northern areas are particularly suitable to the pro- 
duction of the best wheat. If, on the other hand, the climate and soil 
were not suitable, a change of seed is an advantage. 
*Principal of the Dookie Agricultural College, and a noted cerealist. 
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