Hallett's pedigree nursery wheat, 1862. Creator: Unknown

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Hallett's pedigree nursery wheat, 1862. Creator: Unknown

Hallett's pedigree nursery wheat, 1862. The original ear, A, was selected in 1857 from a large crop of "nursery" wheat, not because of its great size, but on account of its general uniformity and the fine quality of its grain. It contained 47 grains. The average contents of ears in ordinary crops is about 30 grains. In 1858, from this selection, one grain produced a "stool" of 10 ears, of which the finest contained 79 grains. The best stool from these 79 grains bore 22 ears in 1859, the finest of which contained 91 grains. In 1860 there were 39 ears upon the finest stool; but these, owing to the wet season, were imperfect. The grains from the best, however, produced on a stool of 52 ears, one (B) which measured 8¾in. another (C) which contained 123 grains...We have...counted 80 ears springing from one seed. This development is little short of miraculous, for, as Mr. Hallett says, "the length of the ears has been doubled, their contents nearly trebled, and the tillering power of the seed increased eightfold." And this, having been accomplished by means of selection alone, in five years, proves that the formation of a race of high-bred cereals is really a work of less difficulty and of greater satisfaction than that of animals'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862

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Media ID 35125157

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Arable Breeding Cereal Experimental Experimentation Improved Improvement Pedigree Research Seed Seeds Wheat Ear Of Wheat Illustrated London News White And Black

EDITORS COMMENTS
Hallett's Pedigree Nursery Wheat, 1862: A Marvel of Selective Breeding This image showcases an ear of wheat, Hallett's Pedigree, harvested in 1862. The origin of this exceptional wheat variety began in 1857 when a single ear was selected from a nursery crop for its uniformity and fine grain quality, despite its modest size. Containing just 47 grains, this ear was a humble beginning for what was to become a remarkable achievement in selective breeding. The following year, a grain from this selection produced a stool with ten ears, the finest of which contained an impressive 79 grains. In 1859, one ear from this stool bore 22 ears, the best of which contained a remarkable 91 grains. By 1860, there were 39 ears on the finest stool, although they were imperfect due to the wet season. Nevertheless, the grains from the best ear produced a new stool with 52 ears, among which one (B) measured 8¾ inches long and contained an astounding 123 grains. The progress made in just five years was truly remarkable. The length of the ears had been doubled, their contents nearly trebled, and the tillering power of the seed increased eightfold. This achievement, accomplished through selective breeding alone, demonstrates the potential for creating new, high-yielding wheat varieties. The caption from the Illustrated London News, published in 1862, expresses the awe and satisfaction that came with witnessing the development of this extraordinary wheat variety. It serves as a testament to the power of selective breeding and the potential for agricultural innovation.

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