Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-12
WHEAT SITUATION
The Yield This Year Not up to
Standard
CROP DEVELOPED TOO ORAPIDLY

Many alarming reports have been
circulated concerning the condition of
the 1919 wheat crop in the State. There
is no doubt that the yield Of wheat will
not be up to expectations but the
average yield for the State as whole
will not be far from the average for the
past 10 years. Several factors have
contributed to the present condition of
the wheat crop. The very mild winter
together with an early spring caused
the wheat to make an exct ssive growth.
This was followed by eriod of cool,
wet weather during the first half of
May, favorable to the development and
wide distribution of rust which attack
ed the blades of the plants: This had
the effect of checking the normal
development and ripening, and was
followed by an unusual amount of scab
and other diseases which effect the head
of the plant. These conditions COM
bined resulted in the wheat ripening in
a very short time. So quickly did the
wheat mature that many of'the fields
were practically dead ripe before the
farmer was aware of it. The COM
bined diseases have resulted in more
or less shriveled grain. In addition to
the diseases which effected the wheat
some of the plants are straw fallen,
due to the presence Of the Hessian Fly.
This will cut the yield considerably. but
the extra amount of straw on the land
will probably give a yield above the
average for the State. In the southern
part of Delaware the wheat is better
than usual, and probably the yield will
be higher than that of the average
year.
The writer spent two or three days
in different parts of the state noting
the condition of the wheat just before
it was cut. These observations showed
clearly that the bearded varieties of
wheat were less effected by disease
than the smooth types. A variety
known as Red Wave, quite popular in
certain sections, was cut 8 to 10 bushels
Ter acre by the scab disease. The
investigations at the Station have
shown that as result of the compari-
son of bearded and smooth varieties
extending over period of 10 years
that the bearded sorts are decidedly
more resistant to unfavora)le condi-
tions, such as weather, insufficient
plant food and plant diseases than the
smooth types. It seems to be con-
elusive fact that more dependence may
be placed on the bearded sorts for a
satisfactory yield one year with an
other under Delaware conditions.
1t is worthy to note that the kind Of
fertilizer applied to the crop had much
to do with the resistance of the crop to
diseases, etc. Where a proper balance
Of plant food was supplied the wheat
ripened normally. That is, the ripening
period extended over the usual number
of days and the wheat straw took on
: that bright yellow color SO characteris-
tic of high yielding grain. Where the
plant food was out of balance, and
particularly where nitrogen was used
in excess, the crop was severely
damaged anG the grain will be found to
be much shriveled.
There is probably more straw per
acre this year than there has been for
long time and this will help make up
the loss grain due to quality.
This department will be interested in
receiving reports from farmers on their
yields of wheat this year, and particu-
larly whether they are growing the
smooth or bearded varieties.
A. E. GRANTHAM. Agronomist.
Delaware Agricultural Experiment
Station.