CORN, WHEAT, OATS, BARLEY, RYE 67 



tlie desirable qualities of a good variety are kept in mind, the 

 choice of a variety will he much simplified. The desirable quali- 

 ties in good varieties of wheat are: (1) High yield, (2) stiff 

 straw, (3) early maturity, (4) rust resistance, (5) high gluten 

 content. 



Choice of variety for any region is very important because 

 small grain production are quite simple. The chief principles 

 involved are: (1) Fertile soil; (2) elimination of weeds; (3) 

 compact, finely pulverized seed bed; (4) conservation of 

 moisture in some cases. 



The kind of soil best suited for the production of wheat is 

 proven by the areas of long-continued wheat culture. Such areas 

 are mostly on silt or clay loam soils which are not as high in 

 humus as the best corn soils but which have an abundance of 

 available plant food. Very little wheat is grown on sandy soils, 

 because the yield is too small for profit. However, soil has less 

 influence than climate on wheat production. 



Wheat is a delicate feeder requiring a well-compacted seed 

 bed which permits of a better root development, less drying out, 

 better contact Avith sub-soil, and less winter killing. In prepar- 

 ing such a seed bed early plowing (one to two months before 

 seeding) has proven considerably better than plowing just before 

 seeding. LikeA\dse deep plowing (six to seven inches) has 

 proven better than shallow plowing (three to four inches) where 

 the plowing is done some time before seeding. Before seeding 

 the land should be freed of the new growth of weeds, fairly well- 

 pulverized on the surface and well-compacted beneath. 



Rate of planting wheat. — The rate of planting may vary from 

 six to ten pecks per acre mthout any material difference in the 

 yield. On the average the extra bushel of seed will just about 

 increase the yield one bushel. This wide range in the rate of 

 planting is permitted because the wheat plant stools or tillers 

 abundantly under favorable conditions. Thus when seeded 

 thinly, the number of tillers per plant is greater than when 

 seeded thickh^ resulting in about the same num])er of heads at 

 harvest time. Rich land can stand a thinner rate of planting 

 than poor land because tillering is more abundant under the 

 more favorable conditions of growth. 



Time of seeding ivheat depends on the locality. It is usually 

 advisable to sow six weeks to two months before the soil freezes 

 in order to permit of sufficient growth to withstand the winter. 

 This general rule would mean the middle of September in New 

 York and later the farther south the seeding is done. Later 



