The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-05-26
OUR FARM BUDGET.
Changes in Wheat SOlidifsd Skim Milk
The Angora Goat
Potato RaislDg-Farmers Raising TrOtters r
why Grain is CheaP-SuPPlementar
Summer Food Household Hints
and Farm Notes.
Changes in Wheat.


In report to the Department of Agricul-
ture on the cereals of this country, by Cliff
ord Richardson, assistant chemist, the fol-
lowing is stated in regard to the grain of
wheat: From observations in this and pre-
vious reports it may be said that of all grain
wheat is probably the most susceptible to
its environment Oats in certain directions
are more variable, but in their general char
acteristics are much more permanent, as
Will appear in subsequent pages. The in
herent tendency to change which it is found
in all grains is most prominent il wheat.
1t may be fostered by selection and by
modifying such of the conditions of en-
virOnment as is in the power of man to
affect. The most powerful element to con-
tend with is the character of the season or
unfavoraele climatic conditions The I'M jury
done in this way is well illustrated in Colo
RADIO, and it would seem advisable in such
cases to seek seed from a source where
everything had been favorable, and begin
selection again. 1t must be borne in mind
that selection must be kept up continuously,
and that reversion takes place more easily
than improvement. Ii took but one season
to seriously injure Professor BlOunt's wheats,
but il will be two or more years before they
have recovered from that injury. Hallett, in
England. was able to make his celebrated
pedigree wheat by selection, carried on
through many years, but the same wheat
grown by the ordinary farmer under unfa-
VOrable conditions for few years without
care has reverted to an ordinary sort of grain.
The effect OF climate is well illustrated by
four specimens of wheat which are 70 be
seen in the collection Of the chemical di~
vision. Two of these were from Oregon and
Dakota some years ago, and present tue most
extreme contrast which can be found ia this
variable grain. One is light yellow, plump
and starchy, and SHOWS on analysis a very
small proportion of albuminOids; the other
is one Of the small, hard and dark-cOlOred
spring wheats of Dakota, which are
rich in albuminOids. Between these
stand two specimens from Colorado,
which have been raised from seed similar to
the Oregon and Dakota wheat. They are
scarcely distinguishahle, except by a slight
difference in color. The Colorado climate is
such as 10 have modified these two seed
wheats, until after a few years growth they
are hardly distinguishable in the kernel. All
localities having widely different climates,
soils, or other conditions, produce their pc
culiar varieties and modify those which are
brOugl 70 them. The Tesu of these ter
denotes to change and reversion from lack of
care in seed selection or other case has led TO
the p8rctiCe Of change of seed among farm
ers. A source is sought where, either through
greater care or more favorable conditions,
the variety desired has been able to ho,d its
own. Some times this change is rendered
necessary by conditions which are beyond
the power of man TO modify. As an exam
pie: No. 10 OF Professor BlOunts wheats
known as Oregon Club" white variety
from Oregon, has been deterioratiDg every
year since il has been grown in Colorado,
whereas, if the seed had been supplied every
season directly from Oregon, the quality
would probably have remained the same.