10 IMPROVEMENT OF THE WHEAT CROP IN CALIFORNIA. 



decrease the nitrogen content of wheat grown upon it. On soils low 



in humus and nitrates there is also a correspondingly low yield of 



wheat. 



Soil Foul with Weeds. 



The weed problem is not of minor importance. In fact, when pass- 

 ing through California grain fields and finding that large areas are 

 badly infested with weeds one is impressed with the effect that they 

 must have upon the yields of wheat. This weedy condition is due 

 largely to the common methods of harvesting and cultivating. In 

 many localities the soil has become so weedy that even with the best 

 methods of summer fallowing commonly practiced by the farmer it is 

 impossible to prevent large damage to the crops. The weeds in many 

 instances crowd out the wheat plants by outgrowing them during the 

 winter months. 



REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PROFITABLE CROPS. 



In order to produce profitable crops of wheat on the worn-out grain 

 lands of California the past and even the present methods of produc- 

 tion must in a large measure give way to methods which will produce 

 better results in the future. This to a small degree has already 

 taken place in some sections. There are also large areas of the State 

 upon which wheat has not been grown for as long a period of time as 

 on those sections first farmed. However, these are being rapidly 

 reduced to the same depleted condition on account of the unscientific 

 practices in use. 



In some localities where the soil now fails to produce profitable 

 grain crops it has been possible to grow other crops on the same land. 

 In general, such instances are confined to the areas upon which water 

 can be applied. Alfalfa and fruit usually do well in such sections. 

 There are, however, large areas to which water can not be readily 

 applied, and these will no doubt be used for the production of grain 

 for many years to come. 



In order to produce crops of grain on such lands it not only becomes 

 necessary to introduce new varieties or improved forms of those now 

 grown, but a change in the actual farming methods for grain as they 

 now exist is absolutely essential. The present methods sufficed for 

 a time, and temporary profits from the soil resulted. It has been 

 comparatively easy to produce crops from a fertile soil without taking 

 into account the effect of such methods upon the soil. It will require 

 much more skill and effort to return the soil to a condition in which 

 good crops of wheat may again be produced. 



SMALLER FARMS AND PERSONAL SUPERVISION BY OWNERS. 



In the pioneer days of California the interior valleys were not 

 considered of much value for the production of crops on account of 



178 



