92 THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



with rubbish than seven-inch, although the zigzag arrangement 

 on both sizes lessens the importance of this difference. 



Wheat drills may be purchased with and without grass seeder 

 attached, and with and without fertilizer drill. The grass seeder 



scatters the seed broadcast either in 



front or behind the drills as preferred, 



while the fertilizer is conveyed into 



the ground by the same channel* as 



the grain. There are a number of 



different methods of conveying the 



grain and the fertilizers from their 



The hand seeder. respective hoppers, most of which are 



satisfactory. Those forms which vary 



the amount sown by means of variation in the sizes of cog 



wheels used are probably the best. These drills are usually 



intended to sow the seeds of all ordinary field crops. 



136. Cultivation. — The cultivation of wheat much as we cul- 

 tivate maize in this country was formerly vigorously advocated 

 and somewhat practiced in England. This practice has never 

 been common in the United States, and only one station 

 (Alabama) out of seven which have reported trials has found it 

 beneficial as compared with the usual method. In most cases 

 it has been found decidedly detrimental. A number of stations 

 have reported in favor of harrowing wheat drilled in the ordinary 

 manner one or two weeks after seeding. The Ohio Station 

 reports that harrowing winter wheat in the spring did no harm. 



137. Rolling. — ^Winter wheat may be rolled in the spring, 

 when there is much heaving of soil, in order to pack the soil 

 about the roots. The cost of thus smoothing the surface may 

 often be repaid by the increased facility with which the crop can 

 be harvested. When grass seed is sown with the grain, rolling 

 should never be neglected. 



