18 IMPROVEMENT OF THE WHEAT CROP IN CALIFORNIA. 



The approximate cost of cultivation by the common method is 

 $2.70 per acre, as compared with $7.30 per acre by the improved 

 method suggested, which gives an increased cost of $4.60 per acre 

 for better tillage. As shown in Table I, we have almost doubled the 

 yield per acre by the improved methods. Suppose the yields given 

 in the table were reduced to two-thirds their value, as previously 

 suggested. We still have wheat, following ordinary methods of 

 bare fallow, yielding at the rate of 19 bushels per acre, while wheat 

 following deep plowing and rye as a green-manure crop yields at the 

 rate of 34 bushels per acre. With wheat at $1 a bushel we have 

 at a cost of $2.70 per acre produced $19 (not deducting cost of 

 harvest, etc.). By better methods at a cost of $7.30 per acre we have 

 produced $34 (not deducting cost of harvest, etc.). This gives an 

 approximate increase of net profit of $10.40 per acre in favor of the 

 better method of tillage. 



Cleaning the Land of Weeds. 



The problem of cleaning the land of weeds reduces itself to sys- 

 tematic cultivation and the production of rapidly growing varieties, 

 especially as concerns their early development. Where cultivated 

 crops are grown it is readily understood that the problem of getting 

 rid of weeds is not so difficult as with wheat crops. Results obtained 

 lead us to suggest that the following method of cultivation, if rigidly 

 enforced, will help in a large measure to reduce the weeds in wheat 

 fields : 



(1) Thoroughly double-disk the land as soon as possible after har- 

 vest, thus stirring the surface, breaking up the stubble, and covering 

 the weed seeds. Then allow the land to stand until the weed seeds 

 at the surface have had a chance to germinate after the first rains. 



(2) As soon as the weed seeds are well germinated, plow the land to 

 a depth of 4 or 5 inches and harrow well. This should be done, if 

 possible, not later than December 15. 



(3) Between March 1 and 15, plow to a depth of from 8 to 12 inches. 

 This exposes the weed seeds not turned up by the first plowing. 

 Harrow the surface thoroughly immediately after plowing. Whether 

 a summer crop is grown or the land is allowed to lie fallow it should 

 be kept well cultivated and free from weeds. 



(4) In November, plow to a depth of from 4 to 5 inches and sow the 

 wheat about 2 inches deep. 



(5) Just before the grain appears through the surface the land 

 should be thoroughly double-harrowed in order to kill all weeds which 

 have germinated following the seeding of the wheat. 



(6) The variety of wheat grown should make a rapid, erect, early 

 growth in order that it may keep ahead of and choke out all the 

 young weeds which are not killed by the final harrowing. (Our 



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