14 WHEAT CULTURE. 



CHAPTER III. 

 HOW TO OBTAIN A LARGE YIELD. 



Besides the minor details, there are six essential re- 

 quisites for the production of uniformly large yields, per 

 acre, of sound wheat. 



FIRST UNDER-DRAINING. 



There must absolutely be a well-drained, deep, porous, 

 warm subsoil, to the depth of at least two feet, with no 

 stagnant water, in order that air and moisture may freely 

 circulate through all parts of the earth to that depth, 

 which will also allow the plant roots to run down and 

 spread out easily for their necessary nourishment. Where 

 the land is naturally of a loose texture, as gravel and 

 sand, to a goodly depth, or with a gravelly sub-soil, the 

 artificial drainage is less needed. 



SECOND DEEP CULTIVATION. 



Deep cultivation by the sub-soil plow, is absolutely 

 necessary, to the depth of at least twelve to fifteen inches, 

 according to the nature of the land whether porous or 

 tenacious and hard so as to enable the soil to retain 

 moisture in a dry time, and to allow an excess to pass 

 off readily in a wet season, as well as to allow the roots 

 to have easy, wide range. Deep cultivation is, therefore, 

 equally beneficial against the effects of drouth as against 

 the drowning of the plants ; being loose and mellow to 

 a goodly depth, moisture from below can freely rise to 

 the surface when it is dry and hot, and heavy rains can 

 readily sink down when they form surplus water on the 

 surface. This operation does not require the raw sub-soil 

 to be brought to the top. 



