36 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



North of that the sowing time is earlier ; to the 

 south it is later, even as late as November in 

 some cases. 



In general where spring wheat is raised, it is 

 best to sow it as early as possible. Seeding time 

 then necessarily comes later to the northward. 

 March sowing is not uncommon in Nebraska and 

 Iowa, and in some of the Canadian provinces 

 sowing is not finished before May 25. Though 

 these dates apply to our own country, we shall 

 later learn that seeding is going on somewhere 

 during every month of the year. 



Cultivation after Sowing. - - Usually no culti- 

 vation is necessary. Man contributes his influ- 

 ence in preparing the seed bed and in planting. 

 Once placed on a secure footing, wheat is able to 

 overcome plant competitors and weeding is un- 

 necessary. In that respect it is stronger than 

 corn, for it covers the ground early in its life 

 history. Harrowing winter wheat in the spring 

 is sometimes tried, but the advantage of such 

 work is problematical. Where the upper soil has 

 formed a hard crust, harrowing may prove benefi- 

 cial because it loosens the soil and conserves mois- 

 ture. Generally speaking, the injury to a large 

 number of wheat plants must be considered care- 

 fully when we judge the value of such work. 

 Where the soil is very loose, rolling winter wheat 

 in the spring has been found profitable. Pastur- 



