27*2 the farmers' handbook. 



WHEAT-GROWING IN NEW ENGLAND.* 



The conditions governing the production of wheat on the Northern Table 



land differ considerably from those in the rest of the State. The climate is 

 cooler and the rainfall heavier and more reliable than elsewhere, while the 

 soil is of a heavier nature and chiefly basaltic, though volcanic ironstone also 

 occurs. The cooler temperatures necessitate the use of hay on a larger scale 

 for the feeding of stock than in the warmer districts, and wheat is so suitable 

 for this purpose that quite half the area sown to that cereal each year is cut 

 for hay. Under the influence of changing conditions, however, there are 

 indications that wheat for grain may in the future prove a larger factor in 

 farming in this part of the State than formerly. 



The New England farmer requires to select his soil with some care for the 

 different crops. Good hay crops are obtainable on almost any class of soil, 

 though the darker and richer soils are perhaps the best, but for grain such 

 land should generally be avoided, and preference be given to the lighter and 

 red coloured soils. It. has been observed that the head does not always fill 

 well on the heavy soils ; very heavy yields of straw are obtainable, but even 

 in the shorter crops the heads do not always fill well. 



In one respect the New England farmer enjoys a distinct advantage over 

 his western compeer — he can adopt a rotation of crops that is profitable at 

 each course, and yet practically complete. The western grower is distinctly 

 limited in the matter of profitable crops that can be alternated with wheat, 

 but the New England farmer can adopt a rotation that in four years provides 

 three grain crops, a fodder crop, and a fallow. The course consists of : — 



Maize or Potatoes — sown in October or November ; harvested in June. 



Wheat or Oats (quick-growing variety) — sown in July or August; 

 harvested in December. 



Fodder crop (rape or turnips in combination with a cereal, sown in 

 February ; or clover with an annual or biennial grass, sown in 

 March or April); fed off with sheep, residue ploughed under in early 

 summer. 



Wheat or Oats (slow-growing variety) — sown in April; or medium slow- 

 growing variety — sown in May or June ; harvested in December ; 

 land fallowed in January or Februaiy in view of sowing maize or 

 potatoes in the following spring. 



Such a rotation carries its own recommendations, there being a sufficient 

 variety of crops to maintain fertility, as well as provision for a flock of sheep 

 on the farm. It should not be necessacy in these days to commend to a 

 wheat-grower the value of a flock of sheep. In every part of the State it is 

 found that the combination is an. invaluable one, and New England is no 

 exception. Some of the best crops obtained on Glen Innes Experiment 

 Farm have followed the fodder crop, but sheep also turn weeds, self-sown 

 wheat and stubble to account, and enable the farmer to make money out of 



• 11. H. Gennys, Manager, Glen Innes Experiment Farm. 



