Ghirka. It is practically rust-proof. Consequently it yields a heavier crop than any of the ordinary varieties which are all more or less susceptible to rust. The presence of rust in and on the leaves hinders the growth of the plant, lowers the yield, and increases the proportion of shrivelled grains. It has been estimated that rust diminishes the world’s wheat crop by something like one third. The new rust-proof variety gave an average yield of about 6 bushels per acre more than ordinary varieties on the average of 28 trials last year. It is called Little Joss and is especially valuable in the Fens and other districts where rust is more than usually virulent. [Illustration: Fig. 5. Corner of bird-proof enclosure showing a varied assortment of parent varieties of wheat. Crosses have been made on some of them as shown by the ears tied up in paper bags] [Illustration: Fig. 6. Field plots of two new varieties of the same parentage which had approved themselves in the bird-proof enclosure. That on the left had to be rejected on account of the weakness of its straw. That on the right is the rust-proof variety known as Little Joss. The photograph was taken after a storm which in the open field found out the weak point of the one variety] CHAPTER IV THE QUALITY OF WHEAT FROM THE MILLER’S POINT OF VIEW To the miller the quality of wheat depends on three chief factors, the percentage of dirt, weed seeds, and other impurities, the percentage of water in the sample, and a complex and somewhat ill-defined character commonly called strength. With the methods of growing, cleaning and thrashing wheat practised in Great Britain, practically clean samples are produced, and home grown wheat is therefore on the whole fairly free from impurities. This is, however, far from the case with foreign wheats, many of which arrive at the English ports in an extremely dirty condition. They are purchased by millers subject to a deduction from the price for impurities above the standard percentage which is allowed. The purchase is usually made before the cargo is unloaded. Official samples are taken during the unloading in which the percentage of impurities is determined, and the deduction, if any, estimated.