nnn 



I 1 SN 9 



78 WHEAT 



and warm climates. Clay loams seem best suited to wheat, and 

 sandy soils seem to be the poorest, because the subsoil is apt to be 

 too open. Wheat is raised in all parts of the United States and 

 ranks third in the value of its crops. More wheat is raised in the 

 United States than in any other country. The largest yield ever 

 produced in a single year is about seven hundred and fifty million 



bushels, or about one fifth 

 of the production of the 

 entire world. The great 

 wheat belt extends through 

 the corn belt northward 



United States. Rest of world j nto Minnesota Nortn Da _ 



The world's wheat crop. 



kota, Montana, and the 



Great Northwest Territory of Canada. The center of wheat pro- 

 duction is one hundred miles west of Des Moines, Iowa. The 

 average yield of wheat in bushels per acre for Great Britain is 

 estimated at 31.8, Germany 26, France 19.4, and the United States 

 13.4. In some parts of the United States, where climatic con- 

 ditions are favorable and proper care is exercised in selecting the 

 seed and in preparing the ground, a yield of forty bushels is not 

 unusual. 



Cultivation. About three fifths of the wheat of the United 

 States is usually planted in the fall. Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, 

 Nebraska, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon produce both winter 

 and spring wheat. Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, 

 Colorado, Utah, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada, Ari- 

 zona, Maine, and Vermont raise spring wheat, while Oklahoma, 

 Texas, Missouri, and the rest of the States raise winter wheat. 



The soil should be well plowed, harrowed, rolled, and put in 

 thorough condition before planting. The rolling is necessary 

 to make the soil firm and compact so as to insure a moist under- 

 soil. It also gives a firm foothold for the roots of the plant and 

 brings up food and water for the use of the plant by capillary 

 action. This favors germination and insures an early growth. 

 Wheat in germination absorbs from five to six times its own weight 

 of water, hence the necessity of a moist undersoil. The maximum 

 and minimum temperatures at which wheat will germinate or 

 sprout are given as 41 and 108 F. ; and the most favorable 



