Milford chronicle., 1919-07-11
WHEAT SITUATION in
STATE OF DELAWARE
EXPERT SAYS THAT The YIELD THIS
YEAR Is ABOUT THE AVERAGE FOR
THE PAST TEN YEARS.
BEARDED VARIETIES LESS
AFFECTED AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRI-
CULTURE AT NEWARK WANTS IN
FORMATION ABOUT CROP.

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
a whole will not be far from the aver
age for the past ten years. Several
factors have contributed to the pres
ent condition of the wheat crop. The
very mild winter, together with an
early spring, caused the wheat to make
an excessive growth. This was fol-
lowed by a period of cool, wet weather
during the first half of May, favorable
to the development and wide distribu
tion of rust which attacked the blades
of the plants. This had the effect of
checking the normal development and
ripening, and was followed by an un-
usual amount of scab and other dis
eases which affect the head of the
plant. These conditions combined re-
suited in the wheat ripening in very
short time. So quickly did the wheat
mature that many of the fields were
practically dead ripe before the farm
)er was aware of it. The combined dis
eases have resulted in a more or less
shriveled grain. In addition to the
which affected 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 south
ern 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 show
ed clearly that the bearded varieties
of wheat were less affected by dis
ease than the smooth types. A var
iety known as Red. Wave, quite pop
ular in certain sections, was cut to /
10 bushels per acre by the scab dis /
ease. The Investigations at the Sta
ton have shown that as a result of the .
of bearded and smooth .
varieties extending over a period of
ten years that the bearded sorts are
decidedly more resistant to unfavor
able conditions, such as weather, in
sufficient plant food and plant dis
eases than the smooth types. 1t seems
TO be a conclusive fact that more de-
bendence may be placed on the beard
ed sorts for a satisfactory yield one
year with another under Delaware
conditions.
It 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
he wheat ripened normally. That is,
he ripening period extended over the
Usual number of days and the wheat
straw took on that bright yellow color
iof characteristic of high yielding
rain. Where the plant food was out
If balance, and particularly where
nitrogen was used in excess, the crop
vas severely damaged and the grain
will be found to be much shriveled.
Phere is probably more straw per
Gre this year than there has been for I
long time and this will help make /
lp the loss in grain due to quality.
This department will be interested
n .Esceiving reports from farmers on
3efr yields of wheat this year, and
articularly whether they are grow
ng the smooth or bearded varieties. l
A. E. Grantham, Agronomist,
)el Agricultural Experiment Station. .