124 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



the heaving than does that at the top of the ridge. 

 The movement of the soil will take place at the point 

 of least resistance, which will be at the top of the 

 ridge, thus leaving the plant at the bottom of the fur- 

 row undisturbed. Just how much effect this has 

 practically one year with another is not knowa, but in 

 some trials where the furrows were obliterated by 

 rolling the yield was not materially affected. 



The time of sowing depends, of course, upon the lo- 

 cality. It is possible to sow later as we go south, and 

 necessary to sow early as we go north. When sown 

 too late the wheat has not sufficient vitality to stand 

 the cold weather. When sown too early its growth is 

 so rank and succulent as to be injured by freezing. 

 In some localities, early sown wheat is subject to at- 

 tack from the Hessian fly. This may be avoided by 

 later sowing, especially if delayed until there is a 

 slight frost, and .also by sowing early some strips of 

 wheat, where the Hessian flies will congregate and 

 may be destroyed by plowing under the wheat. 



Neither is there any best time for a given locality, 

 as very much depends on the season prior to and after 

 seeding. It may be said that as a general rule, 

 although late sowing is often as good as early sowing, 

 it is seldom better, while early sowing is often better, 

 than late sowing. On the fortieth parallel, at an 

 altitude of 500 to 1000 feet, winter wheat should gen- 

 erally be sown between the first and twentieth of Sep- 

 tember. Doubtless the richer the soil, the later the 

 seeding may be done with safety, as the rich soil would 

 produce the growth needed in a shorter time. Spring 

 wheat should be sown as early as the ground can be 

 got in tit condition for seeding. 



