The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-24
CHANGES IN WHEAT.
ReVersiOn in Grain Taking Place More
Easily Than Improvement.

Easily Than Improvement.
In a report to the Department OF
Agriculture on the cereals of this
country, by Clifford Richardson, assist
ant chemist, the following is stated in
regard to the grain of wheat: From
observations in this and previous re-
ports it may be said that of all grain
wheat is probably the most susceptible
to its envir onment. Oats in certain
directions are more variable, but in
their general characteristics are much
more perman ent, as will appear in sub
sequent pages The inherent tendency
to change which is found in all grains
is most prominent in wheat. 1t may
be fostered by selection and by modify
ing such of the conditions of environ.
ment as is in the power of man to
affect. The most powerful element
to contend with is the character of
the season or unfavorable climatic con-
ditions. The injury done in this
way is well illustrated in Colorado,
and it would seem advisable in such
cases to seek seed from a source where
every thing had been favorable, and be-
gin selection again. 1t must be borne
in mind that selection must be kept up
continuously, and that reverSion takes
place more easily than Improvement.
1t took but one season to seriously in
jure Prof Blount's wheatS, but it will
be two or more years before they nave
recovered from that injury. Hallet, in
England, was able to make his celebra-
ted pedigree wheat by selection, carried
on through many years, but the same
wheat grown by the ordinary farmer
under unfayorable conditions for few
years without care has reverted to an
ordinary sort of grain. The effect of
climate is well illustrated by four speci-
mems of wheat which are to be seen in
the collection of the chemical division.
Two of these were from Oregon and
Dakota some years ago, and present
the most extreme contrast which can
be found in this variable grain. One
is light yellow, plump and starchy, and
shows on analysis a very small proper
ton 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 SIM
liar to the Oregon and Dakota wheat.
They are scarcely distinguishable, ex-
cept by slight difference in color.
The Colorado climate is such as to
have modified these two seed wheats
until, after few years growth, they
are hardly distinguishable in the kerr
mel. All localities having widely diff.
ferent climates, soils, or other condi-
tons, produce their peculiar varieties
and modify those which are brought to
them. The result of these tendencies
to change and reversion from lack of
care in seed selection or other case has
led to the practice of change of seed
among farmers. A source is sought
where, either through greater care or
more favorable conditions, the variety
desired has been able to hold its own.
Sometimes this change is rendered
necessary by conditions which are be-
yond the power of man to modify. As
an example: No. 10 of Prof. Blount's
wheats, known as Oregon Club
white variety from Oregon. has been
deteriorating every year since it has
been grown in Colorado, whereas, if
the seed had been supplied every sea-
SON directly from Oregon, the quality
would probably have remained the
same.-IndiGDap0 Sentinel.