GROWING GRAIN CROPS IN 'DRY AREAS 259 



pecks to the acre, and in many instances 4 pecks will 

 be ample. 



Care of the crop. 1*he oat crop may be harrowed in 

 much the same way as the wheat crop. The extent of 

 the harrowing that may be given is practically similar. 

 The instructions that bear on the harrowing of wheat 

 will apply about equally to oats. 



DRY LAND OATS, FLATHEAD VALLEY, MONTANA. 

 Courtesy Great Northern Railway Co. 



Harvesting. The oat crop is ready to harvest when 

 the heads have assumed a whitish yellow tint. The stem 

 above the ground and below the head for a few inches 

 in each instance will have assumed a yellow tint, but the 

 body of the stem will still be green. If left till over-ripe, 

 there will be serious loss from shelling through swaying 

 caused by passing winds. For hay the crop should be 

 cut a little under-ripe. 



The binder is more commonly used for harvesting 

 the crop for the grain, and in some instances also for 

 hay. In other instances the mower is used to cut the 



