GRAIN CROPS. 311 



unprotected by the soil in which it properly belongs, and the plant 

 is killed. 



As this winter killing is largely due to an excess of moisture in 

 the soil, it is very much modified by under-draining ; but not 

 entirely prevented. A top-dressing with sea-weed, stable manure 

 containing a great deal of straw or other suitable material, will be 

 of great service ; but there is nothing so good as a complete cov- 

 ering of snow throughout the winter. This, of course, is a matter 

 of climate, and is entirely beyond the farmer's control. In cold 

 regions, where snow does not lie throughout the winter, and where 

 top-dressing is not practicable, the seed should be sown as late as 

 the first of October, and covered not more than half an inch deep. 

 Planted in this way, the roots will nearly all be in the immediate 

 surface, and there will be less danger from freezing than where the 

 seed is covered several inches deep. 



SPRING WHEAT. 



Spring wheat is somewhat less productive and less valuable 

 (because making a less attractive flour) than winter wheat, but in 

 regions where the latter is apt to be winter killed, it is the safer 

 variety to grow. It should be planted as early as possible in the 

 spring, and is said to grow best in a somewhat lighter soil than 

 winter wheat. 



Wheat, from its great importance, has received much and most 

 careful attention from scientific men and from practical farmers. 

 There is an immense number of varieties cultivated ; valuable 

 experiments have been made with all conceivable sorts of manures ; 

 the diseases to which the plant is subject have been made the 

 subject of especial study and investigation ; the insects by which 

 the crop is sometimes almost swept away have been carefully 

 examined, and their habits clearly described ; and almost innu- 

 merable implements for planting, manuring, weeding, harvesting, 

 thrashing, and cleaning have been invented and put in use. To 

 enter satisfactorily into these details, in this limited space, would be 



