Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-04-01
..sninp berries from each

! pIumpess ear,;e,. - ,,ening berries from each.
| TIE bss5 nv a., OF wheat is divided longi-
! tudinalIy in spikelet' or breasts, which ere
! in fact tie punches I. f chatf, or botanically
the gl-mss, which cont Ain the kernel, that
stasd out alternately Oh each side of the
central stem of the ear. \ 'hese EpiSelets in
some varieties of wheat be. IT three aud some
five flowers esch. The thres flower spikelets
usually maturetwo kernelseac b, while the i've
flower spikelets usually mature three kernels.
The middle kernsl of the thrs', II matured,
is the smallest of the three. snd Ilpens later.
In selecting kernels for seed, t therefore,, for
an improvement, this middle ken net should
be rejected and the t@o other kern els saved.
But as there is difference in this yield Of
one-third, even when the ears are of he same
length aud all other things being go nal, it
follows that the spikelets bearing FIVE 4 DIVERS
and three kernels abreast should be prefs rred.
There is no more reason fer cul.ivatiog W. heat
with two kernels 10 the spikelet when tai 60
can be secured than there is for cultivath g
corn that bears but one ear to the sta. K
when four and six ears can be secure,
to the stalk. Farmers have not
generally paid sufficient attention to
this important point in the selection of their J
seed wheat, and indesd we doubt if there are
not many large wheat farmers in this State
who have never observed this difference in
the heads of wheat Great improve
nlSuIS auu great gains are generally
brought about by attention TO Just such
little distinctions, and it is plain that wheat
can only be improved in this particular by
recognizing and taking advantage of this dis
tinction in the spikelets of the ears of wheat. |
Wheat yields best in those seasons when on |
account Of favorable weather the spikelets
mature the largest number of kernels, the
stand of straw and the length of ear being
equal. Then, again, in saving the kernels |
from the ear, selection should be made Of the
kernels from the spikslets situated about the
middle of the ear or head, as these mature
earlier and are generally larger and stronger
than the kernels on the spikelets nearer the !
tip or butt of the ear or head. Then, again, |
there is great difference in wheat in respect |
to the tillering or stooling-or producing !
number of stalks FROM q single kernel of seed |
Wheat sown on rich soil, SO that each kernel |
will have space Of one foot between each |
other kernel. will sometimes stool or tiller so
SIS to cover the entire ground. Now in selecting !
and cultivating seed this point should not be |
lost sight of, because it Is a very important
one. Wheat has been greatly improved since |
it was first discovered in wild state. and is |
capable of still further great improvement. |
Who is interested in this Improvement il not !
the wheat farmer? Every wheat farmer
should have well cared for experimental |
plats from which he should originate his (
seed wheat. The very susceptibility of the |
wheat plant suggests this plan OF improve
ment, and warrants the opinion that such |
experimental plats can be rendered the most
profitable operations of the wheat farm.