212 



SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



Laborers are able to follow the harvest and find employ- 

 ment in the wheat fields throughout the summer months. 



The time of cutting wheat depends largelj^ upon the 

 kind of machinery with which it is done. Wheat, which 

 is cut \\ith the binder, and placed in shocks, must be not 

 fully ripe or the grain will shatter. 



If the wheat is cut with the header, it must be nearly 

 ripe or it ■wall mold when placed in the stack. 



Fig. 



CouTlisy Intcruafional Harptsler Co. 

 ■ Combined harvester and thresher. 



In CaHfornia, Oregon and Washington a combined 

 header and thresher is often used. In this case, the grain 

 must be full}' ripe, as otherwise it can not be stored. The 

 varieties of wheat grown there and the dry weather which 

 usually prevails at harvest time, make it possible for grow- 

 ers to allow their grain to stand even for several weeks. 



145. The Uses of Wheat. — Unless the price of wheat 

 is very low, whole wheat is not used as a feed for domestic 

 animals. 



