156 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



The time to plant varies considerably in different sec- 

 tions. In Canada and the northern tier of States the spring 

 wheats are usually used and are sown as early in the spring 

 as the soil can be prepared. Winter wheat is more common 

 in the other States and is sown early enough in the fall to 

 let the young plants make a good growth before winter. 



A grain drill is usually used for the sowing of wheat. This 

 gives a better stand than broadcasting or sowing by hand, 

 as the seed is evenly distributed and well covered. The 

 amount of seed per acre varies according to soil, quality 

 of seed and manner of seeding from one and a half to three 

 bushels. 



Heavy seed wheat should always be selected for seeding. 

 The plump, full kernels will give much better results than 

 slender shrunken seed (Fig. 9) . The legal weight in all States 

 is sixty pounds per bushel. That used for seed should weigh 

 this much or more if possible. 



Harvesting. Wheat is ripe when the kernels have passed 

 the dough or soft stage. The kernels should be examined 

 before the cutting is made. Cut before there is danger of 

 the grain shattering out of the head. 



Much progress has been made in the improvement of 

 machines used for harvesting grain. The cutting and binding 

 into bundles is done with a self-binder (Fig. 84). Then the 

 grain is put into small shocks of about a dozen bundles. 

 Here it remains in the field for a week or two to "cure." 

 It is then ready to thresh or to put in stacks. 



In the driest regions of the West the grain is headed and 

 threshed immediately. Heading is cutting the stems just 

 below the grain heads with special machines made for that 

 method of harvesting. 



Oats. Oats grow farther north than corn or wheat. 

 They like a cool moist climate, and have been grown in the 

 cooler parts of the Old World for centuries. They are now 

 produced in Canada and most of the States of the Union. 



