70 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



is commonly of a grayer green than that of the other 

 small grains. 



69. Varieties. There is but a limited number of vari- 

 eties of rye, even in European countries. Practically only 

 one kind or variety is successfully and 

 generally grown in the warmer portion 

 of the South, which is known simply 

 as Southern rye. 



The rye flower, unlike that of 

 wheat, oats, and barley, is cross-pol- 

 linated, so that it would not be desir- 

 able to sow two different varieties 

 near together. 



70. Climate. The rye plant is 

 adapted to a wide range of climate. 

 It is hardier towards cold than any of 

 the other small grains and is practi- 

 cally never injured in the South by 

 winter-killing. Rye can be sown suc- 

 cessfully in a latitude too far south for general success with 

 wheat. However, in growing rye in the South it is very 

 important to use seed grown as far south as practicable. 

 It is thought that seed from the central and lower parts 

 of the Gulf States is better for sowing in the South than 

 that from the extreme northern parts of the same states, 

 and far better than that from still higher latitudes. North- 

 ern rye spreads out so closely on the ground that it does 

 not afford the best early winter pasturage, and seed from 

 higher latitudes produces a smaller plant that is more 

 subject to rust than Southern rye. 



71. Soils and fertilizers. Rye can be grown on almost 



FIG. 24. PART OF A 

 YOUNG RYE PLANT, 

 SHOWING THE SMALL 

 CLASPS OF THE 

 LEAVES. 



