WHEAT IN THE UNITED STATES 247 



northern Texas and Kansas in July frequently 

 exceed 100 F. Winters are fairly severe although 

 usually not cold enough to injure the wheat plants. 

 Although the summers show little difference in 

 temperature, the annual average is of course 

 higher in the southern than in northern parts of 

 this region. Rainfall varies from 18 to 35 inches, 

 with a general decrease from the eastern to the 

 western parts. Since certain varieties of plants 

 must secure moisture at certain times, the distri- 

 bution of the rainfall is an important factor. The 

 greater part of it here is favorable to wheat since 

 it comes during the early spring. There is usually 

 also a sufficient amount of moisture from Septem- 

 ber to November to give the wheat its autumn 

 growth. 



The soil is generally very fertile. Dark, sandy 

 loams prevail, although in Texas and Oklahoma 

 there are some rather extensive areas of reddish 

 soils. Northeastern Kansas and northern Mis- 

 souri have soils of glacial origin which are fairly 

 free from bowlders. The land varies from gently 

 rolling to broad, smooth plains. 



Methods of Cultivation. Winter wheat is raised 

 amost exclusively, and the hard, red varieties are 

 held in highest favor. Turkey Red is the most 

 common, for it yields well and produces grain of 

 high milling quality. Kansas, Colorado, and New 

 Mexico produce some spring wheat, but the crop 



