MONOCOTYLEDONS 265 
winters, and hence the greatest supply comes from temper- 
ate regions. The Northern United States and Canada have 
vast areas especially well-adapted to the cultivation of 
wheat; and in 1899 (last 
census) the United States 
alone produced more than 
one-fourth of the wheat of 
the world, being the great- 
est wheat-producing coun- / 
try. In this production 
the chief wheat-growing 
States, in the order of their ; 
output, were Minnesota, Na 
North Dakota, Ohio, and \ Wir 
South Dakota. \ i 
The varieties of wheat \ ‘ 4 
are very numerous, and 
new ones are constantly We 
being produced in the 
effort to get the very best 
variety for every combina- 
tion of climate and _ soil. 
There are spring and win- 
ter wheats, bearded and 
beardless wheats (Fig. | 
261), soft and hard wheats, Fra. 261.—Bearded and beardless wheat. 
F —After Encter and PrantL. 
and wheats of various col- 
ors. Winter wheat is sown in the fall, and hence must 
be a variety able to endure the winter; while spring wheat 
is sown as early in the spring as possible. Since wheat 
grows best during the cool part of the year, it is very 
conveniently related to the corn crop, which makes its 
chief growth during the warm months. The time of har- 
vesting varies with the latitude, ranging from early in 
May in Texas to August in some northern States. 
