Small Grains 



139 



at the time of wheat planting. Figure 48 shows a common type 

 of grain-drill. (See paragraph 226.) 



Depth of planting. Deep planting is not advised for wheat ; 

 from one to two inches is enough. As explained previously, 

 the plants put out permanent roots near the surface no matter 

 how deep the seed is planted. In soils of poor tilth, however, 



FIG. 51. Self-rake reaper. 



somewhat deeper seeding is necessary than in well prepared 

 soils, because in the former the moisture will be insufficient 

 in the surface layer to germinate the seed. 



64. Harvesting of wheat. In most sections wheat is cut 

 with binders (Fig. 49). These implements cut the mature 

 plants, bind them into bundles, and deposit the bundles in 

 piles on the ground. After the grain has been cut men follow 

 through the fields and place the bundles in shocks (Fig. 50). 

 In hilly regions an implement known as the self-rake reaper 

 (Fig. 51) is often employed for cutting wheat. Reapers cut 



