140 FIELD CROPS 



with such carefully graded seed. Unless the new variety 

 proves superior to the old one under the conditions of the 

 farm, it of course will be better not to change. 



179. Sowing. Better results are usually obtained by 

 sowing wheat with the drill than by sowing broadcast. 

 The drill covers all the kernels, as can not be done with a 

 broadcast seeder, and all kernels are placed at a uniform 

 depth. If judgment is used in running the drill, the seed is 

 sown just deep enough to insure sufficient moisture for germi- 

 nation, and not so deep as to make it difficult for the plants 

 to get through the surface soil. When grain is sown broad- 

 cast a portion is left on top, where under ordinary conditions 

 it will not grow, and where it is readily picked up by birds. 

 Drilling also insures a more uniform distribution of the seed, 

 and requires less of it. 



The amount of seed to sow depends on the variety, its 

 size and germinating power, the method of sowing, soil, and 

 climate. A fair average throughout the United States is 

 a,bout 5 pecks per acre. The amount varies from as little 

 as 2 pecks in parts of California to 8 or 9 pecks in Ohio. 

 About 6 pecks are sown in the spring wheat regions. In 

 general, the heavy clay soils require more and the hghter 

 and warmer soils, with the dry-farming sections, less. It 

 is always safer to sow plentifully, and yet it has been found 

 that the yield is not always in proportion to the amount 

 which is sown. 



180. Time of Sowing. The time of sowing winter wheat 

 varies with the locahty. It is desirable to sow it early 

 enough so that considerable root growth can be made before 

 winter. In the northern wheat regions, winter wheat is 

 usually sawn in September. Farther south, it may be 

 sown much later. Spring wheat, as a rule, does best when 

 sown early in the season. Wheat will germinate at a com- 

 paratively low temperature, and a crop of wheat is very sel- 

 dom injured by cold or freezing weather. On this account 



