46 LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



central states varies from the second week in September 

 to the first week in October. On account of the Hessian 

 fly it is advisable to sow wheat as late as possible. The 

 seed drill is the best implement for sowing wheat. The 

 amount of seed per acre required to get the best results 

 depends upon a number of conditions, such as the fer- 

 tility of the soil, the condition of the seed bed as to 

 fineness and moisture, and the size and quality of the 

 seed used. With medium-sized seed of good quality on a 

 well prepared fertile soil, six pecks per acre will usually 

 be sufficient. 



The selection of good seed is an important means of 

 increasing the yield of wheat. Seed should be selected 

 from the best portions of the crop, graded and cleaned 

 in such a way as to get the largest and plumpest grains 

 for sowing. In Indiana, the highest yielding varieties 

 of wheat are the Ruby, Pearl's Prolific, Michigan Amber, 

 Farmer's Friend, and Abundance. 



Feeding the wheat crop. Wheat responds to the 

 use of fertilizers more readily than most of the ordinary 

 crops. A study of the crop will show what sort of fer- 

 tilizer is needed. If the straw is inferior and short, the 

 soil may be deficient in nitrogen; but if the straw be 

 luxuriant and the heads small and poorly filled, the soil 

 may contain too little phosphoric acid and potash. 



Purdue Experiment Station recommends for wheat the 

 application at seeding time of about 300 pounds per acre 

 of a fertilizer containing two per cent nitrogen, eight 

 available phosphoric acid, and two to four per cent pot- 

 ash. If the farmer wishes to mix his own fertilizer and 



