THE SMALL GRAINS 207 



demand a seed bed that is loose, or mellow, in the upper 

 two or three inches, but firm and compact below this 

 depth. 



To secure a seed bed of this description in case wheat is 

 to be grown after oats, the stubble ground may be (1) 

 disced as soon as possible after the oats are removed ; 

 (2) plowed, not too deeply, as early as this can be conven- 

 iently done ; (3) harrowed immediately after plowing to 

 prevent loss of moisture ; and (4) harrowed and disced 

 as often as necessary just before seeding time in order 

 to make the surface soil loose and mellow. 



The advantages of discing before the plowing is done 

 are as follows : 



(1) It conserves moisture by making a dust mulch. 



(2) It allows rain to enter the soil instead of running off. 



(3) It destroys growing weeds, and starts the germina- 

 tion of other weed seeds in the soil. 



(4) It makes the draft lighter for plowing because the 

 soil is loose and mellow. 



(5) It pulverizes the soil and works the straw into it 

 in such a manner as to allow the water to rise freely after 

 plowing. 



The reasons for early plowing of the ground when pre- 

 paring it for wheat are : 



(1) It gives time for the seed bed to become firm and 

 compact whether from rains, the weight of horses and 

 machinery or other cause. 



(2) It gives time for capillary connection to be restored. 



(3) It gives time for liberation of plant food by decay. 



(4) In the case of winter wheat, winterkilhng is reduced 

 because of the greater compactness of the seed bed. 



142. Selection of the Seed. — Experiments favor the 

 selection of the large, plump seeds, for the reason shown 



