AFRICAN BEARDED WHEAT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1432, 24 November 1885, Page 3

AFRICAN BEARDED WHEAT.

A variety of wheal, called bearded, is receiving attention at the bands of South Australian farmers. Mr James Barton, of Clinton, is reported as having’ brought into Adelaide a splendid sample of African ‘ bearded wheat, which he has grown on his farm. For the past four years Mr Barton has been growing this kind of wheat, because it withstands the rust, ripens a fortnight earlier than the purple straw, and does not thresh out so easily as other sorts. Last year his crop averaged 18 bushels to the acre, notwithstanding the severe storms which prevailed just before harvest; and this year from 200 acres out of the 700 acres he has under crop he anticipates reaping 25. bushels to the acre, should no unforsean circumstances arise. At the recent Port Wakefield Show, Mr Barton exhibited a sample of bearded wheat which weighed to the bushel, and it was pronounced to be excellent in quality. ' There was a little rust on the stalks, but it had not in any way affected the ears. Mixed with the bearded wheat there were a few stalks of unbearded wheat, the seed of which was imported with the I other, and this, too, seemed to withstand rust. The plants stood nearly 5 feet high, and were grown in malice land, tilled with the pulverising plough. The land at one time was not thought to be fit for anything.