8 IMPROVEMENT OF THE WHEAT CROP IN CALIFORNIA. 



yield of wheat to the acre, and in the milling quality of the grain 

 produced. 



The investigations carried on thus far are simply the foundation 

 for a more extensive work in the future. It is necessary in order to 

 find a few desirable varieties that a large number be first grown in 

 small areas and compared with the commonly grown varieties. 

 The results obtained in this way indicate which varieties may be 

 submitted to practical tests directly with the farmers. 



COMMON METHODS OF CULTIVATION UNSATISFACTORY. 



The cultivation methods still commonly practiced by many of 

 the farmers of California have been brought about by the conditions 

 existing about 1860, when it was first discovered that wheat could 

 be grown as a profitable crop. These conditions were as follows: 

 Fertile virgin soil, large level valleys facilitating extensive cultiva- 

 tion, a growing season extending from November to June, and a 

 period of rainfall extending over the growing season, with com- 

 paratively high temperatures during the winter months and low 

 temperatures during the spring months. The methods are generally 

 very simple and very crude. They consist in the continuous cropping 

 of wheat and barley upon soil which receives only a very shallow 

 cultivation. The farmer is removing the plant food from the soil 

 without the addition of anything to take its place. This is resulting 

 in many localities in a depleted condition of the soil, and profitable 

 crops of wheat are no longer grown. 



ORIGINAL METHODS OF CULTIVATION. 



The first grain producers of California attempted to crop as large 

 an acreage as possible at a minimum cost. In order to do this, at 

 that time all that was necessary was very shallow plowing (3 or 4 

 inches in depth), broadcasting the seed, and harrowing it into the 

 soil. This was continued from year to year and fairly good crops 

 were produced for a while. The header and stationary thrasher 

 were used in harvesting the grain. Very little attempt was made 

 on the part of the producer to secure pure seed of the varieties grown 

 or to practice the careful grading of wheat, using only the largest and 

 best kernels for seed. In fact, very little attention was given to the 

 seed used. In many instances the farmer used the poorest grade of 

 grain that he had grown the previous year. 



CHANGES FROM ORIGINAL METHODS. 



Since the earlier period of wheat production in California some 

 changes have taken place or are now in progress. The most important 

 of these are the replacing of the header and stationary thrasher by 



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