FACTORS IN WHEAT PRODUCTION ioc 



ing crop destruction are applicable in the case of 

 wheat. The best rules are, - - first, see that the 

 wheat seed is clean ; second, provide a carefully 

 prepared seed bed ; third, keep the weeds killed 

 which tend to grow on vacant ground in and about 

 the fields. This lat- 

 ter precaution also 

 assists in holding in 

 check the insect 

 enemies, --the 

 chinch bug and 

 Hessian fly. These 

 pests, since they also 

 feed upon weeds and 

 grasses, are sure to 

 find harboring places 

 here. 



Smut and Rust.- 

 Fungus diseases are 

 more difficult to 

 combat . In the 

 first place they usu- 

 ally have a firm hold upon the wheat plant before 

 they are discovered and, second, they are not so well 

 understood. The most common of these enemies 

 are known as smut and rust. These are tiny 

 parasitic plants which develop within the wheat 

 plant. During the process of reproduction, how- 

 ever, parts of these plants worm their way to the 



From Plant Diseases Freeman. 



FIG. 62. Rust on wheat stems. Note 

 the spots which indicate the growth of this 

 fungus which lessens the vitality of the plant. 



