WHEAT GROWN FROM OATS AND BARLEY.

New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1838, 7 April 1863, Page 3

WHEAT GROWN FROM OATS AND BARLEY.

The following letter, dated VYappeuham, near Towc.estcr, Northamptonshire, appears in the last number of the Berkshire Chronicle: — *• In answer to your letter, dated December 2, it is a positive fact that I grew both wheat and barley from oats. The wheat I continued to grow up to last year, but in consequence of the crop going off I was obliged to fill it up with spring wheat. The wheat I grew from the Dutch oat was a beautiful quality, small seed, weight 651b. per bushel, light-coloured chaff, fine straw and blade. The wheat I grew for about 10 years, and sold lots of it to my neighbours for seed. Now I am growing a coarser wheat that a neighbour of mine grew from the Poland oat. That is a much stronger straw and larger ear, but is very apt to mildew the last few seasons. The way I adopted was to plant it thin, under a sheltered wall, the middle of June; it then will require to be cut off about one inch from the ground before coming into bell three times the first season ; the following year it produces the wheat I speak of. Many people saw it when growing; it was a very thin berry the first year. The difficulty is in keeping the root to stand the winter. At the Towcester Union their’s produce barley, and mine has the same from a coarse oat. Black oats will produce rye same way. You are quite at liberty to make use of mv name. “ From yours truly, “ William Cowpee. “ Mr. Charles Simmons.”

[We do not know of any instances in this country of such transformations of grain, as above related ; but wc can vouch for greater changes having taken place in the minds of some here who sow it. One exemplar, who talks upon agricultural matters, and even writes upon them, when he has an orthographical overseer, used to deplore the folly of immigration and blackguard the country ; but since being elevated to the executive he finds it right and necessary to piomote the one and becomingly to praise the other. Some there are who think no brewing good which they have not a hand in.— Ed. N. Z.]