152 Effective Farming 



portance, because it will grow on poor soils and make abundant 

 foliage. 



78. Climate and soils for rye. Rye has a wide climatic 

 range; it grows well in both the northern and southern parts 

 of the United States and it can be grown farther north than 

 wheat. It will grow on all types of soils, if they are well drained, 

 but does best on light loams or sandy soils. It grows better on 

 poor ground than other cereals, and for this reason is often 

 selected for the poorest fields of the farm. 



79. Planting the seed. The rate of seeding varies with 

 conditions; when used for grain the usual acre-rate is about 

 six pecks, and when used as a green-manure or soiling crop, 

 about two bushels. As to the time of seeding, rye has a wide 

 adaptation, varying in different sections and even in the same 

 region. Usually it is seeded earlier than wheat, but it may be 

 sown much later. 



80. Harvesting of rye. The implements for harvesting 

 rye are the same as for the other small grains. The time of 

 harvesting varies with the use to be made of the crop. When 

 grown for grain, it is allowed to become fairly ripe. When the 

 straw is to be sold for manufacturing purposes, the plants are 

 cut very green. Properly cured it is tough and of a desirable 

 color. The highest price on the market is secured if the stalks 

 in the bundles are kept straight ; in order to remove the grain 

 and still have the stalks straight, special rye threshers are 

 necessary. In many of these the head of the bundle is pushed 

 into the machine and the bundle held until the grain has been 

 removed, after which it is withdrawn and thrown to one side. 



81. Enemies of rye. Rye is not seriously troubled by 

 insects and fungous pests. All the insects that attack wheat 

 also attack rye, but they do less damage. Rusts and smuts 

 do not seriously injure rye, but ergot is a fungous disease that 

 often becomes troublesome. It attacks the grains and causes 

 them to increase to three or four times their normal size and 

 turn black. Live-stock, when fed on rye affected by ergot, 



