SPECIAL FARM TOPICS 235 



In dry regions, where the amount of moisture in the soil is 

 commonly the controlling factor in crop growth, the plants at the 

 ends and sides of a field are often the first to produce heads, espe- 

 cially in dry seasons. This is because the outside plants have a 

 larger area from which to draw moisture, or because run-off water 

 often collects at the edges of fields and provides extra moisture. 



It is imperative that the seed should be grown under arid con- 

 ditions. It is best to use seed that has been grown in the neigh- 

 borhood where it is to be planted. If this is impossible, the seed 

 should be grown under as dry conditions as will be met by the grow- 

 ing crop. This fact can not be emphasized too strongly. Even a 

 small increase in the amount of moisture will lessen the power of 

 plants to withstand severe drought. 



It is the common practice for new dry land settlers to bring 

 their favorite seeds with them. The Iowa man brings seed corn, 

 the Indiana man oats, and the Michigan man potatoes. With sea- 

 sons of average or lower rainfall, the planting of these eastern seeds 

 guarantees a failure. The root development of plants from eastern 

 seed is not sufficient to enable them to spread far enough in dry 

 land soil to gather enough moisture, and often the too great growth 

 of foliage evaporates too much moisture. 



Only those grain crops that mature early, before drought and 

 hot winds come, and before the spring moisture is exhausted, should 

 be grown. Wheat, barley and speltz are such crops. The surest 

 forage crops are those like sorghum, milo maize and kafir corn that 

 live and stand still through a drought and then mature quickly when 

 rain comes. Seed should be selected from plants whose large root 

 systems give them a broad area from which to draw moisture. 



Every season it is likely that conditions will be unfavorable 

 before the season is over. This condition demands seed with strong 

 vitality that will transmit vigor to the young plants as soon as they 

 start. Heavy seeds, as a rule, give strongest growth and the thor- 

 ough use of a fanning mill with plenty of air is a great aid in se- 

 curing a crop. Dry land farmers are usually careless about seed 

 and use a mixture of heavy, shrunken and cracked grains, weed 

 seed, chaff, sticks and dirt. There is much loss from seed that 

 has been heated. Thin seeding is necessary. Where there is mois- 

 ture enough to mature one plant only, if two occupy the space, the. 

 crop is a failure. When in doubt about the quantity of seed needed, 

 use one-half the amount customary for humid sections. The fol- 

 lowing pounds per acre are suggested, but the amount should vary 

 with the size of the seed and the condition of the soil : 



Wheat, 30 to 40. Milo Maize, for grain, 5 to 8. 



Barley, 35 to 50. Corn, single seeds, 15 to 18 inches 

 Speltz, 45. apart. 



Flax 20. Dwarf Essex Rape, 3 to 5. 



Millet, 10. Brome Grass, 20. 



Sorghum drilled for forage, 25. Alfalfa, for hay, 12 to 20. 



Kafir corn, drilled for forage, 25 Alfalfa, cultivated for seed, 2 to 3. 



to 30. Sweet Clover, 20 to 25. 



