18 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



ning out" by careful seed selection and good soil treatment. 



Management of wheat after harvesting. Much loss in 

 the value of the wheat crop results every year due to expos- 

 ure in the shock before threshing. When wheat stands in 

 the shock for several weeks exposed to the weather, the grain 

 loses its brightness and the bran becomes brittle, so that when 

 milled the bran crumbles into the flour, producing inferior 

 grades. Fermentation and sprouting may also occur in the 

 shock and cause serious injury. Whenever wheat cannot be 

 threshed as soon as it is dry enough, it is advisable to stack 

 it, for the market value of the grain at threshing time will 

 often be enough higher to pay for the extra trouble. 



Wheat diseases. The wheat crop is subject to the rav- 

 ages of several diseases. There are two more or less common 

 diseases reducing the yield of wheat. First, smut is a para- 

 site which destroys the kernels in the head, and substitutes 

 its own reproductive parts or spores in place of them. In 

 the second place, parasites, such as scales, rusts, etc., attack 

 the stalk or leaves of the plant, absorbing the nourishment 

 and dwarfing the kernels. Scientists have not yet succeeded 

 in working out methods which will control or prevent all the 

 diseases to which the wheat plant is subject. Experiment 

 stations all emphasize the importance of treating seed wheat 

 with formaldehyde as a disinfectant. This will prevent the 

 " stinking smut," and greatly reduce other diseases. 



Insect enemies of wheat. The loss of wheat each year 

 from insect pests is very great. The Hessian fly, the joint- 

 worm, and the wheat-stem maggot are three insects taking 

 heaviest toll from our fields. 



