188 THE SOILS AND CEOPS OF THE FARM. 



There is only one species of rye {Secale cereale) 

 and not many recognized varieties. There are both 

 spring and winter varieties, the latter being sown 

 almost exclusively. 



^oil. — Rye is adapted to light, sandy soil. It will 

 thrive on much poorer soils than wheat, corn or bar- 

 ley. This is so well recognized that the expression, "it 

 is too poor to grow rye," is used to indicate extreme 

 poverty of the soil. Professor Brewer says that the feel- 

 ing that poor soil and the growth of rye are connected, 

 prevents many farmers raising it for purely senti- 

 mental reasons. Such a sentiment in the west has not 

 been observed although a similar sentiment seems to 

 exist in parts of Pennsylvania with reference to buck- 

 wheat. 



Culture. — The same principles apply to the pre- 

 paration of seed- bed and the seeding of rye as in the 

 case of winter wheat. Ordinarily, wifciere both wheat 

 and rye are sown, the rye is sown first. One and one- 

 half to two bushels are sown, preferably drilled, per 

 acre. It may be sown in standing corn and used for 

 pasturage and afterward plowed under for green ma- 

 nure. It should not be sown until the corn is suf- 

 ficiently matured to allow access of the sun. If sown 

 earlier the shade of the corn retards its growth so 

 that no advantage is derived from the earlier sowing. 



Plant Diiseaseis. — Rye is not particularly subject 

 to insect attacks but is subject to a plant disease which 

 needs special mention. Ergot, known also as spurred 

 or horned rye, is readily recognized by the very much 

 enlarged and changed appearance of the kernel, 

 caused by the growth of the fruiting spores. Rye 

 containing ergot should not be fed to animals or eaten 



