270 



SMALL GRAIN CROPS 



will lie on the surface for " the fowls of the air " to pick 

 up; others may be covered too deeply, and not sprout 

 well. Then, too, the little furrows made by the drill, if 

 extending east and west, will protect the roots somewhat 

 from the effects of thawing and freezing, each east-to- 

 west row being shaded sufficiently to prevent frequent 

 thawing. 



199. Gathering the Harvest. A field of golden grain 

 ready for the harvest is a sight to inspire a poet. A 



OATS AS PLANTED IN DRILLS. 



practical farmer may draw the same joy from the sight, 

 but he will wish also to know whether the grain is get- 

 ting too ripe. It is important to know the earliest mo- 

 ment when the grain can be cut so as to avoid scattering. 

 When the stalks are beginning to have a rich, golden 

 hue, and while the grains are yet soft enough to crush 

 between the fingers, the harvest time is at, hand. How- 

 ever, if the thrashing and cutting is done at one time 

 by what is called a combination harvester and thrasher 



