RYE 



105 



Because of the latter characteristic, it is frequently employed 

 as green manure to build up poor soils, especially light sandy 

 soils. If used for ^this purpose, it is usually sown in late fall 

 and plowed under in late spring, thus allowing time to plant 

 some other crop. 

 The selection of seed, the preparation of the seed bed and 



Distribution map of rice. One dot represents 50,000 bushels. 

 (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.) 



method of harvesting are essentially the same as for wheat. 



Rye straw is long and flexible and, when straight and 

 unbroken, is in demand for packing and other purposes. 

 Frequently a method of threshing is used which will remove 

 the grain without breaking the straw. In some of the Eastern 

 States the straw is of as much value as the grain. It some- 

 times commands as high a price as timothy hay. 



