840 _ QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 May, 1902. 
Our present exploited wheat-growing belt offers such a diversity of 
situation, soil, and climate that the production of perfect wheats for local 
conditions is still unsolved. Much has already been accomplished by the 
intelligent observation of farmers in selecting and propagating some “sport” 
or variety of wheat which has made its appearance in their crops and has 
developed probably an innate characteristic causing it to differ in some respects 
from the original. . Thus it may reasonably be inferred that under these 
yarying conditions many varieties of different species of cultivated wheats may 
be produced, and by careful selection of the fittest will become adapted to the 
requirements of their several situations. 
On the other hand, the improvement by cross-fertilisation (when com- 
binations of good qualities are sought for), followed by a system of selection and 
the fixing of types, commends itself as a means whereby the strength of flours 
may readily be increased, and by which a well-known defect of some largely 
- grown wheats may be remedied. 
The evolution of a wheat calculated to satisfy all is a difficult matter. The 
producer, in the first place, is in search of a variety calculated to suit his 
individual soil and climate and to bring in the largest return for his labour. 
Secondly, the miller demands a wheat suitable for his machinery and to the 
production of the largest quantity of flour with a minimum of by-products. 
‘Then we have the “baker,” who looks to the all-important question of colour, 
uniformity, and strength of flour to place the finished article before the 
consumer. 
The disappointments met with in wheat-growing, and the reasons or causes 
from which they arise, are often avoidable by the observation of certain 
peculiarities and habits of the plants. One of the most striking features is the 
ability of wheat to adapt itself to varying conditions ; hence the wide range of 
climates in which it is grown tends to have an effect in fixing hereditary 
characteristics on which much depends. 
Taking in the first place “late” varieties, which require early sowing in 
order that they may have a winter season to develop their root system. These 
invariably require a good climate and regular rainfali, as their stoolin 
proclivities burden them with the support of a large proportion of stalk al 
flag, and, unless their roots have had time and facilities for penetrating the 
subsoil, it is more than likely that, if dry conditions prevail from the period 
after the stem protrudes from the sheath, they will be inadequate to supply and 
the plant to elaborate sufficient for the maturing of a plump grain. 
Indications of this may be noted by a withering of the tips of ears and 
leaves, which, by the way, may also be produced by frost; but Nature, in its 
attempt to supply adequate means for reproduction of the species, often 
confines itself to the development of a part of the remaining portion of ear, 
and, instead of fertilisation taking place uniformly, some of the glumes will be 
found empty, giving rise to the expression that the ear did not “mesh” well. 
Given favourable rainfall, these wheats are more likely to produce big yields, 
but, taking the other extreme without reference to midseason wheats, it is found — 
that early or spring wheats have gained much favour for several reasons. 
It cannot justly be claimed that two seasons are alike, and instead of 
attempting to grow late wheats, when the usual dry periods may be encountered 
from flowering to harvest, experience has proved that there is more likelihood of 
obtaining moderate yields from varieties possessing early maturing capabilities, 
which, if sown sufficiently early to encourage deep rooting, are in a position to 
mature grain quickly and escape rather than resist rust. 
Thin seeding with these late wheats is generally noted as more applicable, 
having due regard to a proper balance of vegetation. 
Taking the other extreme, thickly sown crops, although conducive to early 
maturing, suffer in a greater degree from droughty conditions, but, on the other 
hand, the matter of earliness in relation to escaping rust when the planting 
season has been delayed should have every consideration. : 
— 
a 
4 
7 
@ 
