274 SMALL GRAIN CROPS 



considerably taller, and lighter in color, and it produces a 

 smaller grain. Rye straw is extensively used for the 

 making of baskets, fans, boxes, mats, and paper. Little 

 attention has been given to improving rye. Naturally 

 hardy and vigorous, rye is much grown as a cover crop 

 and as a winter pasture. In these cases the grain is not 

 allowed to mature. 



PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 



1. What can you tell about the history of wheat? 2. What 

 qualities does wheat possess which make it a desirable human food ? 

 3. Can you tell why wheat can be harvested somewhere during 

 every month of the year? 4. How should seed wheat be selected? 

 5. Explain the preparation of the seed bed for wheat. 6. Describe 

 the raising of oats. 7. In what ways do barley and rye differ from 

 wheat? 



HOME EXERCISES 



1. Determine whether the growing of wheat is as profitable to 

 your father as the growing of corn. Include every possible item, 

 as cost of seed, fertilizer, and harvesting. If you discover, for in- 

 stance, that wheat is the better money crop, would it be advisable to 

 increase the wheat acreage at the expense of the corn acreage ? 



2. Gather up all the home data you can on the culture of any one 

 of the small grains. Start with the selection of the seed and carry 

 the work through to the point where the grain is taken to the mill. 

 Write a concise, logical, and complete account of this work in your 

 school notebook. 



3. What insect and fungus pests have reduced the profits on 

 small grains in your region ? 



SUGGESTIONS 



1. The small grains lend themselves very acceptably to school- 

 room exercises. Supply each member of the class with several heads 

 of wheat. Count the grains in each head. In what part of the head 

 do you find the best grains ? How are the grains supported on the 

 head? Can you separate all the parts of one flower? Can you find 

 the names of each part ? Are the wheat flowers " perfect ? " If this 



