PART III 



FIELD CROPS 



IMPORTANCE OF GRAIN. 



THE grain crop, as a factor in national economy, is one of 

 vast importance, especially since it requires hundreds of 

 millions to measure its financial rank. When its history for 

 even fifty years is considered it is seen how far reaching is 

 its influence. It is most substantial in supplying the needs of all 

 classes of people, as it appears in a large variety of ways prepared 

 for the table, and is prominent in giving quality and increased 

 value to beef, mutton, and pork. In raising crops or animals, "well 

 begun is half done." With grain are found among the necessities 

 for good returns a productive soil well prepared, the best seed in 

 reasonable amount, good judgment and prompt action in choosing 

 a date for seeding, irrigation and harvest. Some varieties of grain 

 possess superior merit in the line of milling qualities, in yield, in 

 early ripening, in not shelling easily and in having straw that 

 stands up. These same best varieties give better results all points 

 considered by sowing the right amount of first class seed. The 

 best filled kernels will produce the strongest plants. 



The seed sown upon well prepared land is the beginning and 

 fountain head of the crop which is to follow. Unless the seed is 

 true to name, free from noxious impurities, and of at least average 

 viability, the crop must fail to remunerate the sower. Although 

 the seed is an all-important factor in the production of a crop, it is 

 not the most expensive one. The cost of trie seeding for most staple 

 crops is inconsiderable compared with the cost of fertilizer, labor, 

 and the yearly value of the land. Yet the failure of the seed means 

 a more or less complete loss of the other items of expense. (Nev. 

 A. E. S. 27;N.C. A. E. S. 108.) 



IMPROVING PLANTS BY SELECTION OR BREEDING. 



For many years farmers have given careful attention to the 

 methods of seeding, cultivation, manuring, and the like, but have 

 generally neglected to give any careful attention to the methods 

 of seed selection or breeding. They have universally recognized 

 the importance of stockbreeding, and on all dairy and stock farms 

 more or less careful attention has been given to the matter of breed- 

 ing and improvement of the strain grown. To every farmer the 

 field of breeding, whether in plants or animals, furnishes an inter- 

 esting and profitable diversion. Plant-breeding especially, should 

 become a farmer's fad. Few can afford to breed animals in the 

 extensive way necessary to secure important results, owing to the 



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