WHEAT. 271 



will shell out the most readily. A recent writer on this subject says that by this means of 

 selection he has not only largely increased his average crop of wheat, but the heads are much 

 longer and heavier, and the kernels larger. Mr. H. Stewart says, in this connection: 



&quot; The question occurs how the habit of growing long full ears is to be fixed on a variety. 

 I answer, by selection and constant cultivation, and producing a pedigreed variety. Every 

 farmer might do this for himself, but few will; therefore there is a large and profitable 

 business for farmers, to grow seed and make a special thing of it; not only by producing 

 new varieties by crossing, but by cultivating the best of what we now have and improving 

 them in prolificness. If by enriching the soil we can produce only half the standard number 

 of ears, and by selection of seed gain an average length of five inches of ear, we have fifty 

 bushels of wheat per acre, and can then afford to snap our fingers at bonanza farming.&quot; 



As to the varieties of seed, upon the selection of which so much depends, no definite 

 rule can be given, since some kinds are best adapted to one locality, and others to another; 

 careful and repeated experiments will alone determine their adaption to certain soils and 

 temperatures. The mention of some of the most popular and leading varieties, with .their 

 characteristics and general adaptation already given, will aid the farmer somewhat in making 

 his choice for experiment on his own particular lands. 



Time of Sowing Spring Wheat. This will, of course, depend on the latitude and 

 season ; but, as a general rule for any climate, we find that the earlier in the season spring 

 wheat can be safely sown, the better for the crop. The best way is to partially prepare the 

 soil in the autumn by plowing and reducing it as far as practicable, to be followed by another 

 plowing and harrowing in the spring, as early in the season as possible, without having the 

 soil too wet; and if properly drained, as all wheat-fields should be, either naturally or artific 

 ially, this can usually be accomplished in time to give the wheat-plants an early start. Spring 

 wheat should always be sown in any locality as early as the weather and condition of the soil 

 will admit, which in different latitudes will differ with the season, some seasons in the same 

 latitudes being much earlier than others. 



Time of Sowing Winter Wheat. &quot;Winter wheat should be sown in time to give it 

 a good start before the ground freezes, which will, of course, be modified by the latitude. 

 The usual time at the North is from the the 10th to nearly the last of September, although 

 many farmers consider it expedient to have it sown at or before the 15th of September, in 

 order to give it time to root well before the frost makes its appearance. The time of sowing 

 at the South is from the middle of October to the middle of November, although in some 

 sections it -is sometimes delayed until the early part of December; but this, we think, rather 

 late for any wheat-growing section, and involves some risk to the crop. The appearance of 

 the Hessian-fly sometimes modifies the time of sowing winter wheat, it generally making its 

 appearance about the first of September, and if sown at this time may be liable to its attack. 

 If it is sown sufficiently early in any section to secure a good, strong root to the wheat-plant 

 before the ground freezes in the fall, an earlier growth in the spring is secured, and, conse 

 quently, an earlier ripened crop for harvest. 



Quantity of Wheat Sown to the Acre. There has been much discussion upon 

 the subject of thick and thin sowing of wheat, many of the advocates of both methods, as is 

 usually the case on all subjects, being extravagant in praise of their own favorite method, 

 and often erring in carrying out their ideas to the extreme, some insisting that but a few 

 quarts per acre is all that is essential for producing a good crop, and that all seed sowed in 

 excess of that quantity is mere waste. Others would sow so thick that the growth of the 

 plant would be well nigh impossible, for want of room. &quot;We believe the medium is generally 

 the safer ground on most subjects, and this especially. 



&quot;When the largest and most perfect kernels are separated from all others for sowing, as 



