626 THE SMALL GRAINS 



the volume delivered (Chambliss and Adams, 1915, pp. 

 7-9). 



700. Drainage. The necessity of good drainage is 

 generally not sufficiently appreciated. The removal of 

 the water is just as important as the flooding. Boggy 

 fields delay harvesting, which results in reduced yields 

 because of shattering. Poor drainage or lack of drainage 

 causes under-production through waterlogging, and the 

 accumulation in the surface soil of harmful alkali salts 

 (472-476). It is an engineering problem, requiring com- 

 munity cooperation. Drainage districts should be created. 

 Drainage ditches always need attention, and must be kept 

 free from weeds and other obstructions. 



701. Preparation of the soil. Conditions in different 

 districts vary so that a statement as to the time of plowing 

 cannot be made for general application. The same thing 

 is true of the depth of plowing. It is probably better 

 usually to plow in the spring shortly before planting. 

 In the Sacramento valley where there is winter instead 

 of summer rainfall, deep plowing in late autumn appears 

 to be best. Disking and harrowing are left to be done the 

 following spring. Deep fall plowing permits any ac- 

 cumulations of alkali to be washed out by the winter 

 rains. In the case of spring plowing, disking and 

 harrowing should be performed at once if possible, other- 

 wise the land will bake. The conclusion of Kelly, on 

 the other hand, concerning the relation of early plowing 

 to the formation of poisonous nitrites, has been men- 

 tioned (693). 



702. Time of seeding. Seeding may be done from 

 March 15 to May 15. About April 15-20 appears to be 

 a fair average time for best results outside of California, 

 where April 1 is recommended. In dates of seeding tests 



