8 WINTER WHEAT IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA. 



ber 1 produced the lowest yield (8.3 bushels per acre), this low yield 

 bemg due to the poor germination. 



The above results show that a uniform rule can hardly be laid down 

 as to the best date for seeding. 



In every case a good stand in the fall has been followed by a good 

 yield, except in one or two instances when the plats were injured by 

 blowing. For this reason, it seems that the main effort should be 

 directed toward obtaining a good stand rather than toward seeding 

 at a certain date. 



If a good seed bed is prepared and there is sufficient moisture pres- 

 ent to germinate the grain and keep it gro's\dng vigorously, early seed- 

 ing is advisable, as the temperature at an earlier date is likelj^ to be 

 more favorable to germination and rapid growth. It is not advisable, 

 however, to seed on poorly prepared soil simply for the sake of seed- 

 ing early, when a few days' delay would permit the preparation of a 

 good seed bed. On the other hand, it is not well to i)ut off seeding 

 until very late, as there is grave danger that the seed will never come 

 up. 



It appears that to obtain a good yield a good stand is necessary, and 

 a good stand depends upon the presence of certain conditions of mois- 

 ture, temperature, and soil. These will vary in different seasons and 

 in different localities, so that no rule that wall apply in all cases can be 

 given. Each farmer must study his own conditions and decide for 

 himself what course to follow. 



METHOD OF SEEDING. 



It is essential that the seed be placed in close contact with soil con- 

 taining moisture. To insure this it is best to seed with a drill, as by 

 so doing the seed can be placed at the desired depth and the soil 

 packed around it. By drilling, a more uniform stand is obtained and 

 a smaller quantity of seed is required than by seeding broadcast. 



BATE OF SEEDING. 



The exceptional stooling of winter wheat makes it unnecessary and 

 inadvisable to seed this gram as heavily as spring wheat. The usual 

 rate recommended for semiarid conditions is about 3 pecks per acre, a 

 less quantity sometimes being advocated. With a well-prepared seed 

 bed this amount is probably sufficient for western South Dakota con- 

 ditions. Unless damaged by %vinterkilling or other causes, winter 

 wheat is more likely to be too thick than too thin at harvest time. 

 While a very thick stand may slightly increase the yield in a favor- 

 able year, it may greatly decrease it in an unfavorable one. 



TREATMENT AFTER SEEDING. 



It is usually considered advisable to harrow winter grain lightly 

 soon after it starts growth in the spring, for the purpose of conserving 



[Cir. 79.] 



