The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-07-22
CHANGES IN WHEAT
Reversion In Grain Taking Place Mors
Easily Than Improvement.

Reversion I'm Grain Taking Place Mors
Easily Than Improvements.
In report to the Department o.
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 environment. Oats in certain
directions are more variable, but In
their general characteristics are much
more permanent, as will appear in sub
sequent pages. The inherent tendency
to change which is found in all grains
is most prominent in wheat. II Elay
be fostered by selection and by modify
ing such of the conditions of environ.
ment as is in the power of man 70
affect. The most powerful element
to contend with is the character Of
the season or unfavorable climatic con-
ditions. The injury done in thls
way is well illustrated in Colorado,
and it would seem advisable In such
cases to seek seed from 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 Improvements
1t took but one season to seriously ins
iure Prof. Blount's wheats, but it viii
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 unfavorable conditions for few
years without care has reverted 70 20
ordinary sort of grain. The effect 81
climate is well illustrated by four specis
mems of wheat which are to be seen 10
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, ana
shows on analysis very small proper
ton of albuminoids; the other is oEe
of the small, hard and dark-coloEed
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 70
have modified these two seed wheals
until, after few years growth, they
| are hardly distinguishable in the keI-
mel. All localities having widely an
ferent climates, soils, or other c0nai-
tons, produce their peculiar varleuss
and modify those which are brought 20
them. The result of these Tenderness
to change and reversion from lack OF
! care in seed selection or other case nas
led to the practice of change OF seea
among farmers. A source IS sougns
where, either through greater care o.
more favorable conditions, the variety
/ desired has been able to hold its own,
Sometimes this change is rendsfeu
necessary by conditions which are 60.
yond the power of man TO modify. - -
an example: No. 10 of Prof. Blount
wheats, known as "Oregon Club, =
white variety from Oregon, has pesa
deteriorating every year since y nas
been grown In Colorado, whereas
the seed had been supplied every ssA -
son directly from Oregon, the qaas y.
would probably have remained ~
same Indianapolis Sentsses