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THIRD ANNUAL SESSIONS 



seed must be sown is too dry for the proper germination of the seed, if 

 it is too late to wait for a shower, there are two methods of procedure 

 that may prove successful. Either sow with a press drill, which leaves 

 the soil over the seed firmed a-nd in turn will increase capillarity from 

 below, possibly supplying the needed moisture to the seed; or immediate- 

 ly after seeding roll the field. Rolling will firm the whole surface and by 

 diminishing the size of the capillary tubes will increase capillarity from 

 below, thus increasing the moisture content of the soil surrounding the 

 seed, which may be expected to cause a normal germi'nation. In most 

 sections the seed should be sown not later than September fifteenth for 

 the reason that by so doing all of the fall rains are rendered available to 

 the crop. As soon as the plants are up, the surface mulch should be im- 

 mediately formed again by cultivation with the harrow. 



Soil Treatment. 



Every time the surface mulch is destroyed by rain, it should be re- 

 established by surface culture with the harrow, or better the weeder, 

 just as soon as it is possible to go upon the land. In the spring surface 

 cultivation should follow each rain or as often as the surface becomes 

 compacted by the settling of the so!l particles together, at least until 

 the crop begins to stool or tiller. 



Under very trying conditiions intertillage has been practiced with 

 cereal crops. It is doubtful if such a system would prove practicable, al- 

 though a test of its feasibility on a small scale would be commendable. 

 When the crop is six or eight inches high it shades the surface of the 

 so:i so effectually that thereafter the surface loss by evaporation is 

 minimized.. 



Harvesting. 



In a dry climate' harvesting should begin when the crop is rather 

 green so as to avoid loss by the shattering of over ripe grain. 



Spring Seeding of Cereals. 



Spring seeding requires the same careful preparation of the field 

 the previous season as fall seeding. The treatment of the soil -should 

 be identical with that described under fall seeding with the possible ex- 

 ception that the soil should be cultivated as assiduously when there is no 

 crop as when there is a crop growing upon it. No weeds should be 

 allowed to grow as they pump water out of the soil, and therefore, rob 

 the coming crop of a portion of its moisture. However, if cultivation is 

 sufficiently frequent and thorough to keep up a perfect dust mulch there 

 will likely be very little trouble from weeds. 



Soil Treatment. 



In the spring cultivate with the weeder as early as possible. A little 

 later when the soil has dried out somewhat give it a deeper surface cul- 

 tivation either with the acme harrow or the disk. Sow as early as the 

 conditions are favorable with the weeder in order to maintain a loose 

 mulch and continue the cultivation at least until the grain stools. 



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