TILLAGE 



347 



inches deep. If the ground is dry or liable to become dry before 

 plowing can be done clods may be prevented from forming by 

 thorough disking. This kills weeds and produces a mulch which 

 conserves moisture and later plowing may be done very satisfactorily 

 without any great amount of clods. The impression prevails that 

 since wheat is a very shallow rooting plant the plowing should be 

 done somewhat shallow, but experiments show that a depth of seven 

 inches is not too deep (Fig. !<>>). Immediately after the plowing 

 is done it is necessary to work the soil by means of a disk and harrow 



Mdhoih of Preparing Land for Wheat - (Continuous Wheat) 



* Wheat market value when threshed. 



to conserve moisture, develop plant food, and, most important of 

 all, prevent the growth of weeds. The seed bed for wheat must be 

 firm. If the soil is very open at seeding time tin- free/ing in winter 

 will have a greater tendency to heave the soil and kill the wheat, 

 especially if the land is not well drained. The roller or culti- 

 packer can be used to excellent advantage in the preparation of the 

 seed bed for this crop. 



In seeding wheat in corn ground after the corn has been taken 

 off the field for the silo, or placed in the shock, a sufficiently good 

 seed bed may he produced with the disk. The settling of the soil 



