150 FIELD CROPS 



It is known that in a herd of cattle some individuals are 

 superior to others. It is as reasonable to expect that in a 

 large number of wheat plants or wheat kernels the same 

 variation will be found. Careful observation of a handful 

 of wheat will convince one of this fact. It is to be expected 

 that in the field where thousands of individual kernels are 

 sown, some of them will be better adapted to the soil and 

 other conditions than others. Those best adapted will 

 naturally make the most perfect growth, and will accordingly 

 produce the most perfect kernels. If the most perfect 

 kernels are graded out by means of a fanning mill, as sug- 

 gested, then seed from the individual plants best adapted to 

 the field and climatic conditions is obtained. Thus one 

 may easily and rapidly grade his seed and maintain it at a 

 high standard, or even improve it. 



Seed wheat cleaned and graded as just suggested and then 

 treated for smut (Sec. 205), is good seed to sow. 



188. Obtaining New Varieties. It is often desirable to 

 obtain new and improved varieties of grain. However, the 

 main part of the crop should be sown with seed graded from 

 home-grown stock, and any new and promising variety 

 tried in a small way for at least two years, in comparison 

 with such carefully graded seed. Unless the new variety 

 proves superior to the old one under the conditions of the 

 farm, it of course will be better not to change. 



189. Sowing. Better results are usually obtained by 

 sowing wheat with the drill than by sowing broadcast. 

 The drill covers all the kernels, which is not possible with a 

 broadcast seeder, and all kernels are placed at a uniform 

 depth. If judgment is used in running the drill, the seed is 

 sown just deep enough to insure sufficient moisture for germi- 

 nation, and not so deep as to make it difficult for the plants 

 to get through the surface soil. When grain is sown broad- 



