38 WHEAT 



CHAPTER IV 

 SOIL, CLIMATE AND CULTIVATION 



CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 



Most of the wheat of the world grows in regions 

 with cold winters. California, Egypt and India 

 are exceptions. On the whole, however, wheat 

 has a very wide climatic range. It is grown suc- 

 cessfully in northern Russia and in the Canadian 

 northwest, and has matured even as far north as 

 Dawson, Alaska, 65 north latitude, about 

 two hundred miles from the Arctic circle. In 

 the direction of the equator we find the limits of 

 successful wheat culture between 20 and 25 

 north and south latitude. Wheat, however, is 

 grown successfully on the mountain plains of 

 Columbia and Ecuador, at the equator 10,000 

 feet above sea level. 



While wheat has a very wide geographical 

 range, it nevertheless demands a similar climatic 

 condition during its growing season, viz: A 

 moderately cool and dry temperature. This is 

 secured in the culture of the crop by the use of 

 winter and spring varieties, and by regulating 

 the time of seeding so that the period of growth 

 and maturity shall occur during the cooler part 

 of the growing season in the warmer climates. 



SOIL REQUIREMENTS 



Generally speaking, wheat requires a rather 

 heavy soil, inclining to clayey. The lighter or 

 sandy soils are not so well adapted for growing 



