Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1871 — Growth of Cereals. [ARTICLE]

Growth of Cereals.

At a late meeting of the British Association, Mr. F. F. Hallett read a paper on the" Law of Development in Cereals.’’ His experience showed him several years ago, that grain and especially wheat, was injured by being planted too closely. He found a wheat plant would increase above the ground in proportion as its roots had room to develop, and that the roots might be hindered by being in contact with the root of another plant. He continued a series of experiments, planting one kernel of wheat only, and succeeded so well in improving the method of culti vation as lo raise wheat whose ears contained 123 grains. In the course of his investigations Mr. Hallett made other discoveries with regard to the growth of cereals, which he sums up as follows: 1. Every fully developed plant, whether of wheat, oats, or barley, presents one ear superior in productive power to any of the rest on that plant. 2. Every such plant contains one grain, which upon trial, proves more productive than any other. 3. The best grain in a -given plant is found in its best ear. The superior vigor of this grain is transmissible in different degrees to its progeny. 5. By repeated careful selection the superiority is accumulated. _ 6. The improvement which is first raised gradually after a series of years is diminished in amount, and eventually so far arrested, that practically speaking, a limit to improvement in the desired quality is reached. 7. By still continuing to select, the improvement is maintained, and practically a fixed type is the result.