598 



Wheat Cultivation. 



[Oct. 



the cultivation skilful. Wheat is specially favoured on heavy 

 land because it can be sown in autumn when the requisite 

 tilth is usually more easily secured than is the case later for 

 spring-sown crops. Strong- loams are admirably adapted for 

 wheat in regions of comparatively low summer rainfall. In 

 wetter districts light soils, if in good condition, will answer the 

 purpose equally. The main considerations from the farmers' 

 •standpoint seem to be such conditions of soil and fertility as 

 will ensure steady growth until the plant is thoroughly 

 ■established. Thereafter the crop is much less dependent on 

 •rainfall than either oats or barley. 



Treatment of different Types of Soil. — Heavy soils are 

 improved for wheat growing by drainage (both under-draining 

 and, when necessary, surface draining) and by liming: by 

 half fallows and in certain cases by summer fallows. The 

 requisite plant food can be supplied either in the form of arti- 

 ficial manures applied directly to the crop or in the form of 

 •crop and mammal residues incidental to rotational cropping. 



In the case of the lightest soils, fertility and the requisite 

 " body " must be built up by the use of manures applied to 

 green crops for folding or ploughing in, by the growth of clover 

 and other leguminous crops, or by a system of short-term leys. 



Medium soils must likewise be well farmed, for wheat 

 occupies the ground for a relatively long period and requires 

 adequate and uniform sustenance throughout its life. 



Varieties. — Although man} 7 , if not most, of the varieties 

 commonly grown in this country are about equally well suited 

 to the generality of conditions encountered, a few may be 

 worth noting in regard to their adaptability. On cold and 

 heavy soils in poor physical condition, varieties of the Kivet 

 type usually do as well as any. The grain is of rather poor 

 quality, but the straw is long, coarse and tough and well suited 

 to withstand the most adverse weather conditions. Kivet 

 ■wheat, however, must be sown early, and is not suited to late 

 •districts. 



For general average conditions Victor, Wilhelmina, Little 

 Joss, Browick, Squarehead's Master and similar varieties are 

 generally dependable. 



On very rich soils Yeoman or Swedish Iron may be safely 

 trusted. They will stand up well and thresh well. Yeoman 

 gives a better quality grain. 



For light soils probably no variety is more suitable than 

 Xiittle Joss. 



