244 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



sowing. This is usually done by means of three- 

 section steel harrows which cover a width of 

 from fifteen to eighteen feet. 



The winter wheat is usually sown in September 

 or October ; the spring wheat as early as possible, 

 March being the favorite month. Sowing is 

 generally accomplished by means of an eight to 

 twelve hole press drill, although in heavy soils 

 broadcast seeding is often practiced. In either 

 case from a bushel to a bushel and a half is the 

 amount of seed wheat sown per acre. 



Harvesting the Wheat Crop. - The principal har- 

 vest month is July. In the southern part of the 

 region, however, the winter wheat is often ready 

 for harvest during the latter part of June. Al- 

 most all the wheat is cut by self-binders and is 

 then shocked and left to dry in the field so as to 

 be ready for stacking or threshing. The straw is 

 generally so heavy that from two to three pounds 

 of twine per acre must be used for binding the 

 bundles. Since there is danger of rain during the 

 harvest season, the grain is either stacked or 

 threshed as soon as it is dry. Some few thresh 

 directly from the shock, but inasmuch as there is 

 usually a delay in getting a machine, many stack 

 their grain rather than run the risk of rain while 

 it waits in the shock. 



Moderate-sized threshers are used. The ordi- 

 nary capacity of an outfit is from 1000 to 1500 



