248 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



is important only in the two latter states. Durum 

 wheat is grown to a considerable extent in the drier 

 sections of the Southwest, especially in western 

 Texas. 



The methods of wheat production in the eastern 

 part of the region are similar to those of 

 Illinois and Indiana. Fields are generally of 

 moderate size, and diversified farming is the rule. 



In the western parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and 

 Texas and in the eastern parts of Colorado and 

 New Mexico, wheat is the principal crop. Fields 

 are large, 160 to 640 acres being common sizes 

 of wheat fields. Riding plows are in most general 

 use. The sizes vary from the two bottom to the 

 eight or twelve bottom gang plows with the two 

 or three bottom gangs most common. Early 

 plowing is practiced, and in the drier parts the 

 ground is harrowed soon after plowing in order 

 to conserve moisture. Seeding, by means of ten 

 to sixteen hole press drills, is done usually in 

 October, although in the southern part of the area 

 even November sowing has done well. 



Harvesting the Crop. - Though the harvest be- 

 gins in the southern part of the region late in 

 May, June is the chief harvest month. The wheat 

 is cut with the self-binder and the header. The 

 binder is used almost exclusively in the eastern 

 part. Since the header is well adapted to short 

 straw and dry harvest conditions, it is used 



