OROWINO WHEAT 187 



winter wheat seeding, it is necessary to harrow the soil at 

 once very thoroughly, to pack down the lower part of the fur- 

 row slice so that it will not diy out. The object of this 

 harrowing is to retain sufficient moisture in the furrow slice 

 for germination, which is not done if the soil is left loose and 

 lumpy. It is also desirable to harrow and disk the plowing 



Figure 53. — The disk harrow is one of the most effective tools to use in pre- 

 paring a good .seed bed. Double disking, as shown here, leaves a level 

 surface. 



sufficiently to pack the lower part of the furrow slice so that 

 the moisture in the subsoil may be brought by capillarity to 

 the surface, where the grain is planted and the roots begin 

 their growth. 



Early plowing is said to jdeld from 3 to 10 bushels more 

 wheat per acre than late plowing. It also has the advantage 

 that it helps to eradicate weeds. 



If spring wheat is to be sown and the land is fall-plowed, 

 it is not desirable to harrow it during the fall. If the soil is 

 left rough, it is acted on more fully by the elements, is in 

 better condition to take up the moisture that falls, holds 

 snow better, and is more easily prepared in the spring than 



