YIELD 423 



The average yield of grain per ear of plants from seed sown in autumn 

 was i -45 gr., the ears of the spring-sown plants averaging -99 gr. of grain. 



Many of the spring varieties tillered better when sown in February 

 than they did when sown in October. 



Not only is there a difference between autumn and spring sowing, but 

 there is a progressive decrease in the yield with every week's delay in 

 sowing from October to December. 



The advantage of early sowing is seen in the following results of trials 

 at the Harper Adams Agricultural College with Browick ( = Squarehead) 

 wheat. 



The results obtained from wheat (Swan) sown on the ist and 

 of each month throughout the year 1915 and first three months of 1916 

 are given on page 424 (Fig. 227). 



The " tillering " or number of ears decreases more or less regularly 

 the later the grain is sown from May onwards to March of the following 

 year. 



The average weight and length of the ears and the number of spikelets 

 are highest in plants obtained from grain sown in October and November ; 

 in earlier and later-sown plants these diminish. 



The maximum average height of the straw is found in plants from 

 grain sown in September. 



Although the number of ears per plant is greater when the grain is 

 sown before September, the ears are larger and contain a greater amount 

 of grain when the seed is sown in September, October, and November, 

 just those months in which it has been the practice of the farmers of this 

 country to sow their autumn wheats from the earliest times. 



Which of the three months just mentioned gives the best returns in 

 particular cases depends upon a number of circumstances, such as the 

 physical and manurial state of the soil, aspect, altitude, and other con- 

 ditions. Whatever the time, it is important that the seed should be sown 

 in dry weather. 



Generally speaking, the earlier the sowing the better the yield, especi- 

 ally in late districts and where the soil is comparatively poor. The 



