PARIS EXPOSITION OF 1889-VOL. 5. AGRICULTURE.-PLATE II. a. b. C. α, BORDEAUX WHEAT; b, PETANIELLE WHEAT; C, DATTEL WHEAT. About thirty different varieties are used in France, most of which are of the class known as "tender wheats" (blés tendres), which may be autumn or spring wheats, bearded or not bearded. These are the most known, and they afford a very white flour with but little bran. Autumn or winter wheats are usually sown in France in September or October, or sometimes later, and they are generally used at from 80 to 120 kilograms per hectare in the drill, or at from 160 to 240 kilograms broadcast. A hectoliter of these wheats weighs from 75 to 80 kilograms, 77 kilograms being taken as a commercial mean. Spring wheats are generally sown in March, but sometimes in April or even in May, and must be sown thicker than autumn wheats. Bearded wheats are considered more hardy and as better resisting excessive cold or drought than beardless varieties, but the most hardy are generally local varieties, little appreciated elsewhere. The beard is found to present inconveniences in the management of the grain. A custom prevails in France of sowing two or three varieties of wheat mixed together. The yield is generally greater than from the same amount of a single variety, but great care must be taken to use wheats ripening at about the same time. Wheat and rye are also sown together in the same way, the mixture being known as méteil. Some individual varieties of tender wheats may here be noticed. Aleph.-Very productive, but not so successful as the Bergues or Flanders white wheat, from which it was derived; ripens late and does not resist diseases. Bordeaux, rouge inversable.-This wheat was brought from the south of France after the war of 1870 and rapidly became a favorite because of its precocity and great productiveness, and its culture is still increasing. It is not easily thrown down by storms, though it is said to lose this quality if too heavily manured. Though an autumn wheat, it may be planted in January. It is especially replacing the Chidham wheats. Chidham autumn wheat.-From 1854 to 1870 this supplanted all other autumn varieties, but it is now but little cultivated, as it has rarely given the harvest it used to, and is inferior to new varieties. Chidham March white wheat is a little more delicate than the Saumur March wheat, but has been rivaling it of late years, and commands a better price in the market; very productive. Chubb.-A very productive wheat, but must be sown early in the autumn; its grain is very heavy and its straw very stiff. Dattel. This is a new wheat, introduced in 1887, and is a cross between Prince Albert and red autumn Chidham, the latter of which it most resembles; it is an autumn wheat, but may be sown as late as January. It is very much appreciated and extensively cultivated, as it resists storms and gives very regular yields. A plant of Dattel wheat is illustrated, grown in the department of the Somme, consisting of 26 stalks derived from a single seed. Hallett's "genealogical" wheat.-Maj. F. F. Hallett, of England, has occupied 30 years in investigating the crossing of wheats and other grains, and has produced some remarkable results, among which are the four varieties of wheat known as "goldendrop,' "hunter," "nursery," and "Victoria," all much esteemed in France and Belgium. Goldendrop.-This is a very hardy and productive wheat, and has a stiff, strong straw, growing ordinarily to the height of 1.30 to 1.50 meters and not easily lodged. It is much esteemed in northern France, and would be much cultivated were it not subject to what may be termed sun-scald (échaudage.) Its flour contains much gluten. The Hunter is one of somewhat peculiar formation, it is prolific, but sensitive to the cold. M. Deconinck, of Arras, the agent of the Hallet wheats for France, who was also the introducer of the use of nitrate of soda into French and Belgian agriculture in 1869, exhibited a plant of this wheat comprising 27 heads, averaging 71 grains each, and showing a total of 1,846 grains from a single seed. Kessingland.-A very good autumn wheat, giving a good yield of both grain and straw; the straw is stiff and very long and the head very large. Lamed.-Introduced in 1887. It is a cross between Prince Albert and Noah wheats, is precocious and succeeds well in the Beauce district around Chartres, or wherever Noah and Bordeaux wheat are grown, but is not so generally successful as the Dattel. Noah or fle de Noé "blue" wheat originates from southern Russia. It is precocious and may be sown as late as February or March. "Its boasted merits are disputed in the Brie district, yet, though little cultivated separately, it is often cultivated mixed.” Nursery.-One of the original Hallett wheats. Its grain is of a uniform red; and its straw is abundant and often 2 meters long in rich soils. A single seed has given 55 heads averaging 68 grains each, or a total of 3,982 grains. It is a tardy grower and is planted early. Prince Albert.-Moderately hardy and very productive; is planted early; straw very long. Rieti wheat, introduced into France in 1887-1888, is in Italy what the Saumur wheat is in France, the variety most esteemed for making fine flour. It succeeds well in France, especially in the center and in the south, succeeding all the better since it is a bearded wheat. It is vigorous and resists diseases better than most wheats of foreign origin. Roseau.-Precocious; its straw is short and very stiff, and so not easily lodged. Rouselin is being tried by many growers who have been attracted by its precocity, the beauty of its grain, and the qualities of its straw. |