Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-28
WONDERFUL NEW WHEAT.
Variety That Promises to Yield Great
Returns.

A new and wonderful wheat has
been produced. At Scottsburg, Indi-
ana, on little plat of ground, it has
grown this year and become the most
valuable crop for its size in the United
States. 1t was raised by 4. P. Nc
Caslih, scientific farmer and exper-
imenter. One thousand dollars for
few handfuls of wheat seems a prodi-
gious price, yet that is the valuation
Of this wheat, II indeed, 1t can be val
ued at all. One-half interest in the
total yield of it, which was but eleven
pounds, sold for $500.
This amount was paid by wealthy
Tennesseean from Tullahoma after a
personal inspection Of the wheat
while growing, under an agreement
to furnish additional capital sufficient
to raise the wheat on a large scale.
Mr.. McCasin received many hand
some offers for the entire crop, in
cluding one Of 81 900 cash, but he re-
fused to sell at any price.
This remarkable wheat is an acci-
dental hybrid, being cross between
the Genesee giant and the Fultz and
Mr. McCaslin has given 1t the name,
Hoosier giant. The Hoosier giant is
a square, smooth. bearded wheat, with
pearly red berry, partaking more
strongly Of the properties Of the Fultz
than OF the Genesee. The distinct
i've and valuable feature OF this wheat
however is its wonderful stooling Ca
pacity, which is beyond comparison
with any other variety known. In
this respect it is unlike either Of its
gentors.
Its great practical value in wheat
raising may be easily comprehended
when ii is known that one-sixth OF
the amount Of seed wheat usually
used will raise as much wheat as
other varieties, Individual grains Of
this wheat produce as high as ninety
five stalks, giving each hill BUSH
like appearance. Nor Is this prolific
growth produced at the expense Of
the berry either In quantity or quail
ity. No imperiectly developed heads
or grains are found, the yield Of each
stalk being iull'and perfect. Its hard
pearly and translucent berry makes
it perfect wheat IN every respect for
commercial purposes.
This wheat was sown at the rate OF
ten pounds per acre or one bushel to
every six acres, while the usual rate Z
is from one to one and a half bushels
per acre. Rain and fog during the
blooming period, which caused light
yield OF wheat over southern Indiana,
operated against the Hoosier giant,
yet the plat yielded at the rate Of
forty.iour bushels per acre. lndivid-
ual rows showed yields running from
sixty'eight to eighty'cight bushels
per acre. Mr.. McCaslin has no hesi-
tation in saying that the wheat is ca
pable Of producing from eighty to a
hundred bushels per acre, with proper
care and propitious weather, The
stooling quality Of this wheat enables
it TO winter well. II has a rank stalk
and has habit peculiar to bearded
Russian wheats-that Of lying fiat
upon the ground like moss as soon as
up
While growing this wheat attracted
the widest attention. Agricultural
men from all parts Of the state and
from other states as well came to see
it. Hundreds Of farmers viewed II,
but none had ever seen similar wheat.
For weeks before harvest Mr.. McCas-
lin engaged boys to guard it from
sunrise 10 sunset against attacks OF
birds. He threshed it by hand, The
net crop will be raisedon his Shadow.
mount farm in Jennings township.
The wheat will not be put on the
market for several years.