352 DRY LAND FARMING 



will answer quite well to mix them before sowing. In 

 the case of peas and other grain, the plan is good which 

 drills in the peas deeply and then about two weeks later 

 drills in the other grain less deeply. The aim should be 

 to sow varieties that ripen nearly at the same time. It 

 will not be possible to state the amounts that it will al- 

 ways be most suitable to sow, but the following amounts 

 will be approximate : For sowing alone, rye 6 pecks, 

 wheat 5, barley 5, oats 5 ; for sowing in mixtures, oats 

 and peas 2 and 3 pecks respectively, barley and peas 2 and 

 3 pecks, and barley and vetches 2 and 3 pecks. 



Care of the crop. Usually the grain may be har- 

 rowed when the points begin to appear. It may also be 

 harrowed once again or oftener, but in the case of peas 

 and vetches, the harrowing should be given with much 

 care after the crop is up. Should the grain be too thick 

 it may be beneficial to the crop to harrow out some of the 

 grain. 



Harvesting. Grain for hay may be cut at any time 

 fiom the earing stage until it is nearly ripe, according to 

 the kind and the use that is to be made of it. It is pos- 

 sessed of maximum nutrition when cut with the grain in 

 the dough stage. 



When grain is cut for hay, the aim should be to cut 

 it with the binder when practicable and cure it in the 

 shock. The labor of handling is thus much reduced, but 

 the cost of the binding twine must not be overlooked. 

 When cut while yet quite green, the binding should not 

 be tight, lest some mold be engendered beneath the bands. 

 The aim should be to cure it in long shocks, and to stack 

 as soon as ready, to prevent over-curing. Of course, 

 whenever the grain is cut, it may be cut with the mower 

 and raked and cured like other hay, but there is always 

 more or less waste in handling it thus. 



