60 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



As for varieties, the Turkish red has been grown in this state for 

 15 years and seems to be as hardy as any variety could possibly be. It 

 is probable that we will find one or two other varieties that will prove 

 hardy, but the Turkish red can be depended upon. The seed I spoke 

 of as having been imported from Russia last season, came from the 

 original home of the Turkish red and is the same variety. It has, I 

 think, some advantage over our Turkish red, as modified by Iowa con- 

 ditions for 15 years. It grows closer to the ground, spreading out over 

 the surface in the fall, instead of growing upright, and it stools better. 

 After it has been grown here for a number of years, it will probably 

 develop the same characteristics as the Turkish red we have been grow- 

 ing. It has a longer head and I think, other conditions being equal, 

 will yield several bushels per acre more. 



There is no staple crop that the up-to-date Iowa farmer, on his 

 own land, can afford to grow year after year, for the money value of 

 that crop alone. The claims of every crop for his consideration must 

 be based, not alone on its value, but on its adaptability to fit into the 

 rotation and do its part in the general farm economy. Measured ~y 

 this standard, winter wheat has strong claims for consideration at the 

 hands of every farmer in northeastern Iowa, and in that part o. the 

 state lying south of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad. I believe 

 that it may be grown successfully farther north than is now supposed. 

 Briefly summed up, these claims are: 



The small cost of putting in the crop. 



Its superior value as a nurse crop for clover. 



Its profitable yield per acre as compared with our other staple crops. 



To these claims must be added its value as food for animals, when 

 the market price is too low to justify selling it. Experiments have dem- 

 onstrated it to be worth pound for pound, about as much as corn for 

 fattening cattle and hogs, while for growing animals it is worth more, 

 because of its muscle making constituents. 



Taking winter wheat at its just valuation, the farmers in the part 

 of Iowa before mentioned, will certainly consult their own interests by 

 reducing their oats acreage, which yields less net profit than any other 

 crop they grow, and substituting winter wheat. They will not lose as 

 much wheat by winter killing, if they stick to known hardy varieties, 

 as they will oats by going down before harvest, and whereas they can 

 grow oats successfully only on their poorer land, they will find with 

 wheat, the richer the land, the greater their returns. 



Chairman : This paper is now open for discussion, gentlemen. 



Mr. John Fox: Mr. Chairman: This question of raising winter 

 wheat is one of locality. My location is the north half of Dallas 

 county ; soil, black prairie loam. From nine to ten years ago my 

 neighbors beagan to raise Russian wheat ; had one or two heavy 

 crops; during a dry fall or dry winter it failed to germinate or 



