MONOCOTYLEDONS 



265 



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7 



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, 

 North Dakota, Ohio, and 

 South Dakota. 



The varieties of wheat 

 are very numerous, and 

 new ones are constantly 

 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, 

 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. 



FIG. 261. Bearded and beardless wheat. 

 After ENGLER and PRANTL*. 



