THE MAKING AND IMPROVEMENT OF WHEATS. 
the weather conditions, has also to be taken into consideration. Thus, 
in stormy districts, the bold, broad ear offers too much surface to wind 
pressure; and, unless the straw is very strong, the crop is liable to be 
more or less lodged. In such districts the fine tapering ears lead to 
less loss in this respect. However, in the northern districts of this 
State the wind pressure, generally speaking, is not abnormal. In con- 
nexion with this, the holding power of the variety in respect to its grain 
should be considered in conjunction with its strength of straw. If it 
holds well, like Yandilla King, a strain possessing a bold tapering ear 
could be made. Then, again, the method of harvesting has to be con- 
sidered. If the crop is cut with the binder, and ultimately threshed 
by the machine, it may be cut just as it ripens, and allowed to complete 
the ripening in the stook. In such cases, wheats like Marquis, if the 
other conditions are right, would hold the grain sufficiently well; but 
if the crop has to stand until ready for the harvester, it must hold its 
grain better. Having selected the plants, the ears of each should 
preferably be threshed separately, so that the grain may be examined. 
This is of special importance when dealing with varieties that are not 
quite fixed. It will be surprising to note the variation in the grain 
under such circumstances. 
As regards the farmer who has established himself, and has the 
opportunity of carrying out a few experiments in the improvement of 
his. seed by selection, the main considerations have been dealt with. 
The study of the root-systems of varieties is more difficult, and. little 
is attempted in this direction, even in experimental stations in the 
Commonwealth, owing to the labour involved, and other difficulties 
attending the work, and the greater experimental error. This needs 
more expert workers. Still, the problem is an important one in its 
connexion with drought resistance, and actions of fertilizers; especialty 
so should the great interior of the Commonwealth come under the 
plough, and there are probably millions of acres which will at no great 
distant future. At present this study, owing to lack of facilities, gives 
place to the actual experimenting with varieties to test their yielding 
capabilities under such conditions. Both should be carried out eon- 
jointly. Judging from the experiments I have carried ont, the early 
maturing varieties are shallower rooted, and mature whilst there is 
moisture in the richer surface soil. The variations in the root structure 
may be as great as it is in the straw, but without special facili- 
ties and trained scientific observers this work cannot be carried 
out systematically. 
I have enumerated a number of points in which the scientific worker 
has helped to establish his right to every farmer’s consideration. 
It is this work that has added millions of pounds sterling to the 
wealth of his class, and when unthoughtful ones, to put it charitably, 
deride such work, it can only be put down to crass ignorance. I will 
say, speaking from my own experience, the farmers were the first to 
grasp the importance of wheat-breeding and improvement to the agri- 
cultural community, though it took some few years, and by actual obser- 
vation of the work in thé plots, to convince them it was not a fad. The 
work is slow, and needs patient study, and it cannot be expected that each 
Saturday night some new wonder has been achieved. 
is 
Ne) 
