26 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



plowing and then settles during the winter so that 

 a compact bed is provided for spring seeding. 

 There are some places of longer growing season 

 and heavier soil, where spring plowing is in high 

 favor. 



The Preparation of the Seed Bed without Plowing. 



- In the corn belt region some farmers sow 

 spring wheat in old corn fields without using the 

 plow at all. In such cases the soil is stirred by 

 means of a cultivator or disc harrow. Generally 

 where this is practiced a quick rotation of crops 

 is desired and spring wheat is thought to pay 

 better than oats. 



Winter wheat is raised in some localities with- 

 out the use of the plow. In the corn belt the 

 wheat is sometimes planted by a five-hoe drill 

 between the corn rows. There is no special 

 preparation other than that furnished by the 

 drill. The ground has been prepared by the 

 cultivation of the corn. This is possible only 

 where the fields are free from weeds, where the 

 stalks have not been blown down to any great 

 extent, and where the soil is quite mellow. It is 

 not a method in universal use nor one that can be 

 depended upon in a given locality. In some 

 instances the corn is cut and shocked as fodder 

 and the wheat sown in the vacated field without 

 special preparation. Where the ground is weedy 

 or the soil not loose enough for a seed bed, the 



