2 5 2 



THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



inches, comes chiefly during the growing season 

 and is sufficient in the larger part of the region. 

 In the western part, however, the rainfall is hardly 

 adequate, and so drought-resisting varieties of 

 wheat are sought. There dry farming methods 



Photo by E. L. Currier. 

 FIG. 108. Wheat grown by dry farming methods on the plains of Montana. 



are practiced and where water is available irriga- 

 tion is employed. 



The topography is of the rolling plains type with 

 broad stretches of smooth land cut by a few deep 

 river valleys making up the western part. The 

 soil on the whole is fertile and well adapted to 

 wheat. The sand hill area of Nebraska and the 

 Bad Lands of South Dakota are conspicuous ex- 

 ceptions. There are also some mountain areas, 

 such as the Little Laramie, the Black Hills, and 



