48 OUR FARM CROPS. 



twenty-four labourers to effect, and at an expenditure of 

 from 24s. to 36s. This, like many other machines possess- 

 ing equal advantages, can only follow good farming. 

 Before it can be rendered available, the land must be 

 drained and laid flat, the surface must be well tilled, and 

 the seed must be deposited in parallel lines; then there 

 is no difficulty whatever in successfully working it. 



After the hoeing has been accomplished, the wheat 

 must be left to take its chance against the various injuries 

 and enemies which attend upon every period of its 

 growth. These we will discuss after we have harvested 

 our crop, as, although the injuries they inflict are princi- 

 pally during its growth, our knowledge in reference to 

 them is unfortunately far too imperfect to enable us to 

 assign, except to a very few, the exact period of their 

 attack, the part of the plant in which it is commenced, or 

 the mode in which it is effected. 



The period of flowering (inflorescence) is one of some 

 anxiety, as the future yield depends greatly upon the 

 conditions, favourable or unfavourable, under which it is 

 carried on. Wind or wet are alike undesirable at this 

 period the one directly destroying the anthers and in- 

 terfering with the healthy impregnation of the seed, while 

 the other exerts a general debilitating influence upon the 

 productive powers of the plant at a critical period of its 

 growth, and renders it more susceptible to future injuries. 

 The effect of the first is seen in the diminished quantity 

 of the yield that of the second rather in the quality of the 

 grain produced. The flowering takes place usually during 

 the month of June, and in about six weeks from the time 

 it is observed we may calculate upon our harvest being 

 ready. 



The proper period for cutting wheat seems to be very 

 little attended to, even if it be thought about at all, as it 

 is impossible to travel through the country at harvest 



