The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-04-22
MAKING WHEAT FARMING
PAY ~ kL.AMATu
by H. r. bradbury

Az good as wheat In the mill: I:
an old saying but true. Wheat ha,
ever been a cash crop. but only dur
InE the last few years have wheat
standards been adopted tina, base tn,
value on quality and not quantity
Klamath has produced as fine wheat
as can be grown anywhere. and eau
he made to produce q standard grade
that will command the top price In
The open market. Unfortunately this
IL not the case at present, owine
largely In two causes. The first and
worst IL that we are growing too
many varieties aud mixtures that are
not adapted 10 climatic and other
conditions found here.
Tho second reason Is the lack 81
knowledge relating to the adaptable
ity OF varieties to altitude, climate
and the effect OF moisture on the
growing grain. For the past several
years. Mr.. Howard. the miller and
chemist at Martin Brothers mill has
conducted tests of the wheat grown
here. In an endeavor 10 determine
what varieties possess best average
gluten content. I have been a grower
Of pure varieties for long time, and
very much interested in acquiring In
formation that would lead TO the pro
.duction Of a better grade Of grain
both as TO quality and quantity.
From the knowledge gained II
would seem that about three varieties
grown here In commercial quantities.
come nearest to meeting the reauir-
ed conditions. They are Early Baart.
blue Stem and Marques. There are
ether varieties that show excellent
promise. bu, are not yet grown here
under field conditions. Two OF them
show a remarkable gluten content.
the Burbank supper wheat, introdu,
ed here by Capt. Appiesate. and the
Red Fife. locally designated as the
spccftk Fife.
I have secured information from
the Washington state college relating
to climate and moisture that should
be OF value TO wheat growers Of this
section.
Wheat grown under different elm.
attic conditions. may differ materially
10 the quantity and quality OF the
gluten content.
Wheat varieties grown under dry
land conditions have a higher per-
ceutase OF gluten than the same var
ieties grown on irrigated land. This
would seem to be due to the fact that
the nitrogen compounds. including
gluten are laid down In the kernal
earlier In its development than some
Of the starch compounds. II growth
is checked near maturity IL will pre-
vent the formation OF starch COM
pounds. thereby Increasing the per-
rentase OF gluten.
The above indicates that taking &C.
rount OF climatic conditions suitable
varieties for klamath can only be de-
iermined by growth here. This Is
borne ont by experience.
Where wheat is grown under irri-
ration care must be used In applying
water. II should be used sparingly
and before the grain forms In the
head. sub irrigated land should be
avoided. also naturally wet and heavy
and. The cuttings Of the grain be-
lore the straw Is thoroughly ripe Will
give q better gluten content.
The exercise OF care In the selec- !
ion of seed relative to purity OF var
eties and percentage OF gluten con-
ent as determined from your milling
est. should be given careful attention
BY the grower. keep the number Of
,arieties down to a minimum. as
wheat Is prone TO cross fertilize In
he field with deteriorating results.