CHAPTER III 

 CULTIVATION AND GROWTH 



THE most ancient history of which we have any 

 knowledge makes mention of wheat as a promi- 

 nent food material. We know from this that it 

 was one of the first grains to be cultivated. No 

 one knows when it first became a domestic plant. 

 Probably wild wheat found favor with prehistoric 

 peoples because of its large kernels and agreeable 

 taste. They may have thought of assisting the 

 growth of the plant by crudely preparing the soil 

 and scattering seeds and by keeping out other 

 plants. In some such manner cultivation and 

 domestication came about centuries ago. Since 

 that time wheat has become so dependent on man 

 for its very existence that if left uncared for, it 

 could not survive. In its contest with other 

 grasses and weeds, wheat would be crowded out 

 and probably in a few years would almost com- 

 pletely disappear. But wheat is such a desirable 

 article of human food that man helps it in its 

 struggle with its rivals. The care given for the 

 sake of promoting growth and insuring yield is 



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