WHEATS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1181, 17 July 1911, Page 8

WHEATS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

KE.SULTS OF EXI'EItIMENTS,

Several French wheals which have been introduced iulo England and there cultivated with success, presenting advantages over locally-grown wheals (says a writer ill the Agricultural "Journal"), especially in qualities conforming to the modern requirements of the miller of (lour, were introduced by the; Department in 1008, and have now been grown in the Dominion for two seasons. The wheats have not only been tested by the Department, but have Iwen grown by several farmers who secured seed from the Fields and Experimental Farms Division. Two advantages claimed -for then) are rust-resistance and non-liability to ."hell out. The last-named quality is of considerable importance, especially in those districts where strong winds are.commonly experienced. Absence of this character is the great drawback In the Bordier and De Noe varieties of French wheats previously introduced into Canterbury. ' At the winter shows farmers had an opportunity of examining the later introduction's of the I'rench wheats, the leading varieties being Treasure, Red Marvel, and While Marvel. Treasure is a very early variety, with a long, ,thick, square ear, grain long and strong, rich in gluten, straw medium length and strong, chaff white, and resists mildew. Gocd on all soils, especially on light. This variety "aw imported into England.in 1!)05, and came quickly into favour, especially in Norfolk on" light land. It .withstands stoims'well, and is a heavy yieldcr. It has the brightest' straw of all the French wheats. White Marvel is an early variety. The ear'is exceptionally long, and tho gra'in very large and round. The best of the white French wheats for milling purposes: the chaff is white and the straw long, of avcrago strength. It is said to he 'good on any soil. Red Marvel in a very early variety. It has a very long ear, with grain large ami plump; chaff white, and straw long and strong. It is a hca-.y cropper, and is claimed to be good on a'll soils. Although an autumn or spring wheat, from all reports, it appears to do best when sown in. tho spring: If sown in the spring it will,come to maturity at the same time as other varieties sown in the autumn. It is said to bo the largest-grained and heaviest red wheat in -cultivation.. Tho object of introducing these, new varieties (continues the article) was that a wheat might be found which would possess some advantages over .those usually cultivated in the districts of the Dominion. So far, experience with the French wheats under New Zealand conditions shows that there is o considerable variation, between the different varieties, and that they do not possess tho samo superiority over local varieties that they are said to exhibit over English wheats. , ; ' Tho Red Marvel has so far shown the .bust results in this country. It. is suitable for both autumn and spring sowing, while the others aro early autumn wheats. ■