166 CULTURE OF THE CEREALS. 



547. Besides, in drill sowing the crop gets the benefit 

 of greater light and heat, and a freer circulation of air, 

 and hence a more thrifty growth. In addition to these 

 important advantages of the drill over hand sowing, some 

 concentrated manure may be applied in the drill, and the 

 wheat feels its influence more directly and quickly than 

 if all the manure were spread and turned under. 



548. From four to six pecks of winter wheat, and from 

 two to two and a half bushels of spring wheat, should be 

 sown to the acre. The quantity will vary according to 

 the fertility of the soil, the smaller quantity being required 

 on the most fertile soil. 



549. The culture of roots forms an excellent prepara 

 tion for wheat, because they cleanse and mellow the soil. 

 AY heat should therefore follow a root crop in the rotation 

 rather than an Indian corn crop, though on an oat stubble 

 it is often found to succeed well. 



550. Unless the ground has been heavily manured for 

 a previous crop, it should be well manured before sowing 

 wheat. A strong and vigorous growth in the fall is very 

 important, as it will enable the roots to store up a large 

 amount of nourishment for the early spring growth, and 

 the plant will advance with great rapidity in the early part 

 of the following season. Spring wheat should be sown 

 as early in April as the condition of the land will allow. 



551. Wheat should be harvested before it gets dead ripe. 

 It makes more and better flour if cut just after the grain 

 li;is begun to harden, but while it is still so soft that it 

 can IK- crushed with ease between the thumb and finger. 

 Tin- ^traw is then greenish but partially turned yellow. 



552. If the wheat is not gathered at this time it changes 

 very rapidly in favorable weather, and the grain and straw 

 soon grow less valuable, a part of the starch of which the 



