THE SMALL GRAINS 



165 



203. Screened and graded seed best to sow. Wheat should 

 be screened and graded before seeding to remove all weed seeds 

 and small shrunken kernels. The young plant must depend 

 upon the food stored in the seed until its roots are estab- 

 lished. If small shrunken kernels be sown, the food supply 

 may be insufficient, especially if the season is unfavorable. The 

 young plants may die when those from better seed survive and 

 produce a good crop. In grading, the aim should always be 

 to retain the heaviest seed rather than merely the largest. 



FIG. 77. A wheat drill 



204. Seed with a drill. Wheat may be sown broadcast and 

 covered with a harrow or it may be sown with a drill. Ex- 

 perience has shown that seeding with a drill (Fig. 77) is better 

 than sowing broadcast, because about one third less seed is 

 required for the same thickness of stand, because the grain is 

 distributed more evenly and at a more uniform depth, causing 

 the seed to germinate more evenly and more promptly, and 

 because the plants go through the winter in better condition. 



205. When to sow. The time of seeding is one of the im- 

 portant points in growing wheat. A safe rule to follow with 

 spring wheat is to seed as early in the spring as the conditions 

 of the ground will permit. The best time to seed winter wheat 

 is not so easily determined. It is usually necessary to sow early 



