72 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



to protection against its most harmful diseases and insect 

 enemies. 



Harvesting. The chief questions arising with reference 

 to harvesting a crop are when to harvest, and how to harvest? 



The time to harvest is determined by the use to be made 

 of the crop. For example, corn should be harvested when 

 fully mature if the grain or fodder is desired, but at an earlier 

 stage when the kernels are well-glazed, if silage is to be 

 made. Some crops, such as clover and alfalfa, are in the 

 best condition for harvesting during a very short period. 

 Others, such as cotton, and corn if husked, have a rather 

 long period. The length of the harvesting periods of different 

 farm crops is of considerable importance when planning a 

 cropping system which will give a proper distribution of labor. 



The method of harvesting depends, of course, upon the 

 kind of crop. But it should be one that gives the highest 

 net return. With small production, as on a few acres, the 

 profit may be greatest if done by hand, but on a large acreage 

 machinery should be used. 



The harvesting of corn furnishes an example of the re- 

 lation of cost to method. If husked in the field, much of the 

 fodder will be lost for feeding purposes. Since, as a rough 

 feed, corn stover may be substituted for hay, whether or 

 not to harvest the stover will depend upon the cost as com- 

 pared with the value of the hay saved in feeding. If hay is 

 high in price, harvesting the stover would probably be a 

 good practice; otherwise, it would not. 



Climatic conditions may influence the method of harvesting, 

 as is the case with wheat. On the Pacific Coast, where sum- 

 mers are dry, wheat is generally harvested by means of a 

 header; while in the humid regions of the east, it is cut 

 and bound into bundles which are placed upright in shocks. 



