The Delta independent., 1901-06-14
eReepiNo NEW wHEArs,
Larger Yields Than Old Ones and Stand
Poor Weather Better

Poor Weather Better
A revolution in the production Of
wheat is prOmise'l-the beginnings of
IT have in fact been achieved-by the
successful experiments made during
the last ten years at the Minnesota
state experiment station. associated
with the agricultural school of the Uni
versity of Minnesota, says The Worlds
Work Both yield and quality are
greatly increased.
The new wheats. which are the prod
uct of breeding and selection combined,
have been tested for every purpose.
They are not only larger in yield than
the old wheats and better able to with
stand unfavOrable weather and dis
ease, but they are as rich in essential
food qualities. During the summer of
1900 the experimental stage was
passed and actual farm trials We're
made; for a farm trial is the ultimate
test of n new wheat. Whatever IA
vorable results may be shown in the
experimental stages. the wheat must
still stand the final practical test in
the fields Of the farmer. In the fields
it has now proved its right to supplant
the old standard varieties. The con-
crete results are these: \ toning up of
the wheat harvest, not only Of the re-
gion where the experiments are car
ried on, but of the entire wheat area
of the world: the overthrOwinc of the
argument of Sir w. Crooks president
of the British association. that the sup
ply of the wheat Of the world would
soon become Inadequate for the needs
of the world; marked increase in the
worlds wealth. millions of dollars be-
ing added in n single season in only
one section Of the wheat producing
area of the world.
The work of wheat breeding began
many years ago on the great NilmOrin
estate in France. Mr.. Henry Nilmorin
carried, on extensive experiments in
the creation of new breeds. more than
thousand new wheats having been
tested by him. | shall not forget a trip
to his farms at Nerrieres-le Buiss0Ii.
under the guidance of the present head
of the house. NJ. Philippe Nilmorin.
Ten years ago similar work was be
gun at the state institution in Minne-
sofa. not only to create new breeds of
wheat. but TO carry them forward
through n series of years until enough
wheat of n superior variety should be
accumulated to enable the farmers to
make the final test themselves. This
to the farmer: for all the results are
for the benefit of the public. To ere
ate a new wheat the pollen from the
flower of one wheat must be artificial
ly transferred to the stigma of the
flower of another wheat. Wheat is
self-fertilizing plant. Left to itself 1t
will reproduce itself throughout end
less centuries. Great care Is necessary
in the work and trained men are es-
sential As soon as tine pollen is trans
ferred-which is done about four
o'clock in the morning at the hour
when the wheat fiorets open-the head
of wheat Is eIcasei in tissue sack SO
that the work may not be interfered
with by any pilfering insect or bird.
Two of the best known varieties are
selected. one for the father. the other
for the mother OF the new race. When
the harvest comes it may be that the
new wheat has some of the poor and
n few of the good characteristics of
the parents: or the reverse may be the
case 1t is Impossible TO say in ad-
vance what the new wheat will be.
From the single head which results
rs the first harvest only handful Of
kernels is threshed out. The handful
is of immense importance. for these
kernels may become the source of a
mighty race. destined not only to sup
plant the old wheats, but to add enor-
mously to the wealth of the world. But
the last results are slowly won. for the
first harvest is very meager and the
second and third are small. But after
n number of years enough wheat can
be garnered to sow the twentieth of an
acre, and then come tangible results.
To breed new wheat requires infinite
pains and patience. II has taken ten
years TO bring the new wheat varieties
Mt the Minnesota experiment station TO
the farm test In the meantime hun
dreds of wheajS have proven valueless.
Some were too heavy in the stalk. thus
lodging" MS Il Is called. falling over
in seasons of too much moisture be-
cause of too rank growth: some We're
particularly susceptible to the diseases
of wheat: some were poor in the color
of the kernel. while still others We're
deficient in yield or lacking in essen
tial food elements. A successful new
wheat must not only yield larger
number of bushels per acre, the first
and all-importaut requisite. but 1t must
he hardy and it must be rich in food
qualities.
In the spring Of 1900 enough Of one
variety of the new wheat having ac-
cumulated 10 warrant field trials. n
number of thrifty and Intelligent farm
ers from various parts of Minnesota
were selected and to them enough
seed was sent to give II a fair trial.
Every farmer was supplied with an
elaborate record blank. II for any
reason the new wheat would he given
a better chance or a worse chance than
the old. especial attention should be
called to the fact Some of the reports
Indicated by the abnormally large in
crease OF the new wheat that the
farmer had given II better oppor-
tunity than the I'D wheat. even though
he did not say so. and all such in-
stances were thrown out rs being un-
fair to the old wheat and their data
were rejected Out of all the instances
about forty We're selected as having
complied with Ill the conditions.
.,,,,,. 90 q, ouv thuf tho inrrpu Sn