THE WHEAT COUNTRIES 211 



The Methods of Cultivation. - The chief reason 

 for the extensive growth of wheat in this country 

 is that it will yield fairly well even with an annual 

 rainfall as low as 18 or 20 inches. This leads also 

 to extensive rather than to intensive farming. 

 Fields are large, and population low. The acreage 

 per capita is about four times that of the United 

 States. 



Wheat growing in Australia must contend not 







FIG. 91. Hauling bundles to stack. 



only with uncertain rainfall but also with insect 

 pests and rusts. The latter are very active and 

 live through the winter on the seed wheat. Scarc- 

 ity of labor at harvest time is another difficulty, 

 this being especially true in seasons of heavy 

 yields. 



The Use of Machinery.- -The work is done al- 

 most entirely by machinery. Plowing and seeding 

 are done in very much the same manner as in the 

 United States. In many districts the harvesting 



