Wheat Growing in the Pacific States. 339 



Summer fallowing is generally practised over the entire 

 region, largely owing to the fact that there is practically no 

 rotation feasible. Great benefit is derived from the rain of 

 two seasons falling on land which is to bear only one crop, 

 as the greater portion of the land shows great capacity for 

 retaining the moisture that falls and is maintained in good 

 condition, so that early-sown wheat subsequently produces 

 a good crop, even though the rainfall during the growing 

 season be scanty. On an average, there is thus one crop 

 every two years ; but sometimes, if sufficient rain falls 

 immediately after harvest, it is possible to raise a second 

 crop. A fallow is sometimes also sown in May after its 

 period of idleness, the young wheat being grazed by cattle 

 during the summer, and the final growth of wheat allowed 

 to start in the autumn. 



The straw is frequently burnt on the field, as it cannot be 

 ploughed under and absorbed by the light soil ; this saves 

 the ash for the land, but loses the nitrogen. At the same 

 time, the field is cleared of insect pests, which are con- 

 sequently very rare in this section of the United States. 



The greater proportion of the feeding material used for 

 •stock in this region is hay made from barley and wheat, 

 which is usually cut "in the milk" and cured in a manner 

 similar to ordinary hay. Xo accurate estimate of the quantity 

 thus used for hay can be made, as it varies each year with 

 the condition of the grain when at the proper stage to cut, 

 and also with the prices of hay and wheat. Probably 10 per 

 cent, of the entire wheat area is usually devoted to hay. 



In the two great wheat valleys of California ploughing is 

 very generally done by gangs of from four to fourteen 

 ploughs, with a six or eight mule team, and to an average 

 depth of about three inches. Attached to the rear of the 

 plough and drawn by the same team is a broadcast seed- 

 sower, which sows the seed as fast as the ground is ploughed. 

 This is usually followed by a harrow, attached to the plough, 

 which harrows in the seed. as soon as it is sown. Thus at one 

 time are accomplished the three operations of ploughing-, 

 sowing, and harrowing in the seed by one man with his 

 team of eight mules at the rate of ten to fifteen acres per da)*. 



7 o 



