ADVICE TO WHEAT GROWERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7828, 22 June 1909, Page 1

ADVICE TO WHEAT GROWERS.

lit conversation with ii ChristcWrch reporter recently, a gentleman intimately; connected witli the grain trade imparted some facts regarding "solid straw"?and other varieties of wheat, j which arc specially interesting in the | face of the recent controversy, iii reference to. the best milling grains. It is generally recognised among merchants and millers," the speaker said, "that sofid straw., \vhoat is inferior in j appearance ilia ilour-protluchig qualities to the white and purple straw Tuscan varieties. Millers freely state i that it is next to impossible to make bread from flour produced from so'id stravr wheat alone. It is only by mixing in Small proportions that it can be utilised for bread-hiakiiig at nil. Further,, this particular variety is Much inferior in. a'^earanee to the ordinary Tuscaiij Hiihter. or velvet sorts..,lt is easily recognised by its bleached n'ncl thin appearance, as well as by its low weight per bushel. Whereas the average weight this year of purple..and white straw Tuscan is from 6~4ib to '6j51b.. Hunter's 641b, Velvet 641b, 1 Bordidr {& new variety), 661b',, solid straw only averages 621b per bushel. I Then, again, solid straw appears to be most sensitive to continuous rains, and this year s gocm'S to have suffered, more than the older varieties from' mildew, caused by the heavy rains wrieil the grain was forming. Large quantities have been rejected by the Government graders this year on that account, as not being f.a.q. (fair average quality). "It is generally admitted that solid straw will stand up well to the strong winds, but against that it is known to take' d deal out of the land, besides beino- a most difficult crop, to harvest and to thresh. As regards yielding, Ojiiniolis' differ. Sohie growers state that. It (loes xYpi produce mo.ro per acre than the oide'r. Ijli^fili v§>'ieties, but that it will yield more than Hunters growers oi solid, straw lit tlid past have' b,<ieri able to dispose of their crops at prices" 6'il a par with the better milling, kinds; but I this liais been due to the general scarcity of wheat prevailing for th,e'| past few years. As soon as the world's supplies right themselves, growers of solid strait . \i-.ill have a different tale to tell. C^rMilily' New Zealand millers will not buy ,it for . milling' piirp&ses, and should the London market not be operating, jt will be an impossibility to dispose of it. ■■ ■ . . "The new Bordier variety, strongly recommended by Professor Lowrie, has much in its favour so ;far as yielding powers and milling purposes are concerned. Unfortunately, ihany Canterbury growers give", too little time and caro id. tlie'."sßleiction .of .their seed. Price, in many cases, is the first consideration, while quality is a secondary matter. Surely the same attention should be a paid to the selection of seed grail! a§ ji, g'Siie'rallv giveii in selecting stock. It' has been proved over and over again that like produces like, and if weeds are sown farmers cannot expect." to.'reap wheat. Wheat graders and millers of many years' experience will tell you that it is ''now a difficult matter to .classify the long-berried and the short-berried wheats, ;as the. two varieties are so much mixed. It is most I;essential..for the London trade that this shouldrnot be; as.all purchases are made.on the long-berry and shprt-ber-r.y standards. Many farmers say .they" have grown their own seed/for several years without a change. Years ago it was a recognised practice to procure seed from a limestone country for; sowing on the heavier lands, and the inrnrovement in the quality and the production was most noticeable. "I strongly reepmmend growers to adhere to the old varieties, such as purple and whiter straw Tuscan, redchaff Hunter's and velvet or pearl, and by being more careful in selection of their seed they need have no fear that their produce will not find a ready sale in any part of the world."