29 JUNE 1929, Page 15

SCIENCE AND CROPS.

A similar point arises in a considerable number of farm crops. It was hailed as a new boon for. British farmers when Professor Biffen " created " a wheat of much higher " strength," in the technical sense, than the existing varieties grown in England. His " Yeoman II." is a wonderful wheat and has proved of service to the farmer ; but it is extra- ordinary how little value the farmer extracts from the strength of his grain. Just as the miller wants quality and is regardless of anything else, the farmer wants yield. An extra sack to the acre much more than compensates for some inferiority in content of gluten. We have succeeded in improving the inner virtue of most crops ; but not their productivity. Sugar-beet, wheat, and even potatoes have not been developed along the line of cows and poultry, which provide more milk and more eggs than their predecessors, not necessarily better milk and better eggs. Modern oats, on the other hand, excel in yield. Perhaps the best examples of improvement in both directions can be found among small fruits ; but even there odd exceptions are found. For example, last year the wild rasp- berries in some districts yielded more heavily than the cultivated. * * * *