THE WHEAT CTJLTTJEIST. 



77 



north latitude, the culture of wheat and other cereals is 

 prevented, owing to the low summer temperature which 

 exists along the northwest coast of America. 



" On the south, wheat can be raised profitably in the 

 western portion of Texas and Arkansas, commencing at 

 about the 30th parallel of latitude, excluding the Gulf 

 Coast, where cotton flourishes to great perfection. Thus 

 it appears evident that wheat can be raised to advantage 

 from Texas to the Britisli possessions on Mackenzie's 

 River, running through about one-third of the distance 

 from the Equator to the E'orth Pole, and from the At- 

 lantic to the Pacific Ocean. 



The harvesting of wheat through this extensive belt 

 may be said to commence in the latter part of May, and 

 continue until the latter part of August. ' It is said that 

 the ripening of the " staff of life " will move steadily 

 northward about twelve or fifteen miles per day, like 

 a wave, until it sweeps up to the northern margin of the 

 great wheat belt. A marching regiment in Texas, start- 

 ing for the north, could barely keep before the ripening 

 wave ; and if they halted a day to rest, it would pass them. 

 This wave stretches east and west across the Union, 

 from the Atlantic to the confines of Kansas, and as it 

 moves north it will grow longer and denser.' Minne- 

 sota, extending northward to the 49th parallel of latitude, 

 is one of the finest wheat-growing regions on the con- 

 tinent. Indian corn also flourishes in the valley of the 

 Ped Piver of the E"orth, which empties into Lake Win- 

 nipeg in about 50 deg. north latitude. 



" The northern limit of wheat on the American con- 

 tinent may be said to be on the line of the isothermal or 

 mean mmmer temperature of 58 deg. Fahr., where is 

 found a fertile soil ; while Indian corn requires a mean 



