WHEAT 63 



secure ideal conditions for germination the seed 

 should be deposited in the bottom of the drill 

 furrow or against the firm soil which will supply 

 moisture to swell and sprout the seed and give 

 a favorable environment for the young roots. 

 Thus the surface of the seed bed should not be 

 loosened too deeply or too near seeding time. 



If the surface is loose and dry and there is 

 moisture beneath, it may be better to deposit 

 the seed against the firm soil even at a depth of 

 four or five inches rather than to deposit it near 

 the surface of the loose, ashy bed where it will be 

 entirely dependent upon rain to sprout and grow. 

 In a wet season shallow seeding in a deep, loose 

 seed bed may give good results, but it is better 

 to prepare a proper seed bed. 



WINTER KILLING 



Winter killing of wheat occurs frequently 

 throughout the northern and middle portions of 

 the winter wheat belt, and is often a source of 

 great loss and inconvenience. Wheat winter 

 kills in several ways: 



1. It may not be hardy enough to withstand 

 the extreme cold of severe winter weather. 



2. Late sown wheat or weak plants may die 

 for lack of moisture in a dry, open winter. Even 

 a good stand of wheat may be destroyed by such 

 unfavorable conditions, especially if planted in a 

 loose seed bed which was not well stored with 

 moisture. 



3. The grain may smother under a covering 

 of ice or closely packed, icy snow. A heavy fall 



