Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-21
Varieties Of Wheat.

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Agriculture publishes some very interest
ing facts in regard to the varieties of
wheat grown in the United States, aud
the estimation in which particular varie-
ties are held by farmers cuitiyating them
in the different sections of the country.
The list is large one, larger than we had
any idea was the case. embracing two
hundred and seventy named varieties; al
though it is likely that a few of these
may be duplicated by synonyms. 1t is
evidence only of the good work done by
(whatever its defects that so large pro-
portion of the existing varieties now cul-
tivated and esteemed, were originally dis
tributed by the Department in former
years. The variety having the widest
distribution is the FultZ, a red winter
wheat originated in Pennsylvania, and
first distributed by the Department in
1871. 1t takes its name from the farmer
who first cultivated it; is heavy and
prolific, and probably occupies third Of
the area seeded in winter wheat, and pro-
harvested in the country. 1t is the lead
ing variety in eleven wheat growing
states. and even in New Hampshire.
where the conditions for winter wheat are
not so favorable as in some of the Middle
and Western states, has produced at the
rate of 30 bushels per acre. One report
from Illinois shows it to have weighed GA
lbs. per bushel. In Virginia the maxi
mum Of yield reported was Sc bushels per
acre, the average yield being 30 bushels.
Next TO the Fultz, the wheat most ex-
| tensiyely grown is the old Mediterranean,
imported twenty-five years ago from Mar
settles, France. 1t is the leading variety
in New Jersey and Texas: second in six
other states, and grown more or less in
all the winter wheat states. Its maxi
mum yield is "A bushels per acre: its
average 80 bushels.
The Fife, or Scotch Fife, occupies the
| third place. as to area. 1t is almost as
promiRegt in the proportion of its distri-
button in the spring wheat districts, as
the Ftiltz is in the states where winter
wheats take the lead.
The Clawson, IA winter wheat stands
fourth in Importance. 1t is popular in
New York and Michigan, stands at the
| head in Connecticut and is much grown in
California, Oregon, and to some extent in
the central and southern states.
| In Maine the leading varieties are Lost
Nation. White Russian, Scotch Fife and
Canada Club, in the order named as to
dissemination and popularity.
| 1t is an interesting fact in connection
with this subject that more than twenty
wears ago farmer in Pennsylvania is re-
ported "a receiving 81, 900 for 400 bushels
of wheat, which was the result of three
! years increase from single quart bag
received from the Department, which
made wheat growing in that county.
which had nearly been given up, both pop
ular aud profitable. In the nited States
| the winter varieties largely predominant.
Besides Fultz, the Mediterranean, and
Clawson, several amber wheats with differ
ent names are extensively grown. Ian
caster occupies second rank in Pennsvlva-
MIA and first in West Virginia. The fam
lily of Mays are extensively grown in
Southern ATTITUDES. Walker is the leading
wheat in Arkansas. There are also "pur-
pie" and "blue" straw varieties of winter
wheat that are reported favorably in sew
eral Of the Southern States. Fulcaster is
said to be II cross between Fultz and Ian
caster, and is favorably regarded, but as
yet not occupying much area.
The principal spring wheats reported
are the Flies of several specific names
the Club wheats, the Russians, Sea Island
Black Sea, Blue Stem, Astrachan, Odessa
Lost Nation, and Saskatchewan. A few
others are named of less importance. The
spring wheat territory includ Wisconsin
Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Dakota, and
the Territories hut not Oregon or Califor
mia. Northern New England and north.
ern New York grow spring wheat almos,
exclusively.