[430]

[Typed]

∗.2 2 GARDENER'S CHRONICLE 1867 P. 107. LOISELEUR-DESLONGCHAMPS (LES CÉRÉALES 189 42 P. 208--219) WAS LED BY HIS OBSERVATIONS to THE EXTRAORDINARY CONCLUSION THAT WITH CEREALS SMALL GRAINS PRODUCE AS FINE PLANTS AS LARGE GRAINS. THIS CONCLUSION IS HOWEVER CONTRADICTED BY MAJOR HALLET'S GREAT SUCCESS IN IMPORVING WHEAT BY THE SELECTION OF THE FINEST GRAINS. IT IS POSSIBLE HOWEVER THaT MAN BY LONG CONTINUED SELECTION OF THE CEREALS MAY HAVE GIVEN TO THE GRAINS OF THE CEREALS. A GREATER AMOUNT OF STARCH OR OTHER MATERIALS matter, THAT n THE SEEDLINGS CAN UTILiSE FOR THEIR GROWTH. THERE CAN BE LITTLE DOUBT, AS HUMBOLDT LONG AGO REMARKED, THAT THE GRAIND S of cereals HAVE BEEN RENDERED ATTRACTIVE TO BIRDS IN A WAY degree WHICH IS HIGHLY IN INJURIOUS TO THE SPECIES.

[in margin:] 14. 15'

[Cross and self fertilisation, p. 354: "* 'Gardeners' Chronicle' 1867 page 107. Loiseleur-Deslongchamp ('Les Céréales' 1842 pages 208-219) was led by his observations to the extraordinary conclusion that the smaller grains of cereals produce as fine plants as the large. This conclusion is, however, contradicted by Major Hallet's great success in improving wheat by the selection of the finest grains. It is possible, however, that man, by long-continued selection, may have given to the grains of the cereals a greater amount of starch or other matter, than the seedlings can utilise for their growth. There can be little doubt, as Humboldt long ago remarked, that the grains of cereals have been rendered attractive to birds in a degree which is highly injurious to the species."]