WHEAT. 125 



The depth of sowing will vary with the kind of soil, 

 the moisture in it and the level ness and firmness of 

 the seed-bed. It may be planted deeper in a sandy 

 soil than in a clay soil. It is necessary to plant 

 deeper in a dry than in a wet soil. An uneven 

 and cloddy soil would require that some be planted 

 deeper than is desirable in order that all may be 

 covered. From one to three inches may be said to be 

 the extremes at which wheat should be sown. It is 

 reasonably well established that the nearer the seed 

 approaches the former depth the better, under ordinary 

 circumstances. 



The quantity of wheat to be sown per acre will vary 

 with the character of the soil, climate, time of plant- 

 iDg, seed-bed, size, quality and variety of seed and 

 method of seeding. If sown early less would be re- 

 quired than when sown late, because each plant would 

 become larger, tiller more, and thus cover more 

 ground. If the seed-bed is well prepared and the 

 vitality of the seed good, a larger percentage of seeds 

 will grow than if the seed-bed and seed are poor. A 

 bushel of one variety may contain three times as 

 many kernels as another. A variety which tillers pro- 

 fusely pould be sown thinner than one which does not. 

 If drilled a less quantity could be sown than if sown 

 broadcast. 



The yield will not be at all in proportion to the 

 seed sown. The wheat plant adjusts itself to its 

 surroundings. If sown thickly it tillers but little and 

 produces but few heads per plant If sown thinly it 

 stools more and the heads are larger, often sufficiently 

 to counterbalance the thin seeding. 



In climates where the winters are uniformly mild 



