FACTORS IN WHEAT PRODUCTION 115 



is need for studying methods of increasing the 

 yield. 



The Effect of Tillage. Careful preparation of 

 seed bed is essential. Extensive farming often 

 involves working a part of the ground when con- 

 ditions are unfavorable. Because of the size of 

 the field, only part of the plowing is done at the 

 right time, - - part of it must be delayed. When 

 the remaining part is plowed, sometimes the soil 

 is too dry, at other times it is too wet. Large 

 acreage is depended upon to make up for the 

 lessened yield per acre, caused by such conditions. 

 With a denser population and the consequently 

 increased competition, greater care in planting 

 and preparation becomes necessary. 



The Importance of Seed Selection. - -Conditions 

 in the wheat-growing regions of North America 

 are so diverse and settlement in many parts so 

 recent, that the varieties best suited to different 

 localities are still in doubt. Constant experimen- 

 tation is in progress that lines of improvement may 

 be found for these cases. With more complete 

 adaption of variety to local soil and climate con- 

 ditions, higher yields will follow. 



The Rotation of Crops. - - Wheat farmers are com- 

 ing to realize that continuously planting to the 

 same crop on the same soil soon causes decreased 

 yields. This is due to the fact that the amount of 

 available food material necessary to the particular 



