38 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



spring that they will ruin the crop (see Figs. 60 and 

 61). Some farmers sow a " catch crop," a strip of 

 early sowing around the field. When this strip 

 has become infested with the fly, the ground is 

 plowed, and in this way the insect is killed. The 

 main field, sowed later, is thus in a measure 

 protected. 



The wheat plant remains green late into the 

 winter. Before spring, however, the older leaves 

 have turned brown and sometimes in late winter 

 the field may show practically no evidence of life. 

 Then the farmer is anxious. He fears that his 

 wheat has been winter killed. He probably ex- 

 presses his fears to others. Reporters hear the 

 rumors and express the same feelings through 

 their papers. Soon the price of wheat rises on 

 the market as a result of these ' bear : stories. 

 In a short time spring opens. The weather turns 

 warmer, the snows melt, and the rains come. 

 Then with a rapidity almost startling the brown 

 field changes to green. The farmer watches for 

 even coloring, for he wants no bare spots in the 

 field. Sometimes because of insufficient rainfall 

 or drifting snow, parts of the field will come 

 through the winter better than others. But with 

 favorable conditions the even stand which results 

 brings joy to the farmer's heart. 



The winter crisis has passed. The spring growth 

 is well started. If spring wheat is sown, it soon 



