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Wheat sown in dry soils can never be made to germinate uni¬ 
formly even if thoroughly irrigated afterwards. The most perfect 
requirements of a seed-bed, mellowness and moisture, must be com¬ 
plete before planting to secure uniform advantages for the crop. 
Many demonstrations have been made in proof that, as a rule, 
farmers use too much seed. The best results at this Station have 
come from the use of about four pecks per acre. The press drill k 
recommended for advantages over other methods of seeding. By its 
use the soil is made firm over the seed and rapid and uniform 
germination insured; while the surrounding soil is left mellow and 
porous, allowing the young and tender roots to reach in every 
direction for the available fertility and moisture. The advantages 
of deep rooting are secured by drilling seed to a depth of at least 
four inches. 
Winter wheat usually requires three irrigations, and spring 
wheat two after growth has been established. We irrigate winter 
wheat once during the winter, in January, harrow in February, and 
irrigate in March or April, as the conditions of the season seem to 
require. After that, and as soon as the surface becomes sufficiently 
dry to pulverize without becoming cloddy, it is again harrowed for 
the second and last time. Wheat is benefitted by harrowing the 
same as other crops are benefitted by cultivation; and no harm has 
been found to result from the use of the harrow upon fields after a 
growth of five and six inches has been established. The final irri¬ 
gation is required during the stage of forming heads, or not later 
than the bloom appears. Later watering than this may produce 
shriveling. While irrigating small grains, water is unavoidably 
allowed to flow in contact with the stems, by reason of which the 
application should be made within as short a period of time as 
possible consistent with thoroughness. Numerous laterals over 
difficult places facilitate the work. 
OAT CULTURE. 
The requirements of oat culture do not differ essentially from' 
those of wheat, yet the former grain is found not as well adapted to 
the various conditions of climate as the latter. Oats attain the 
highest development in cool climates. They are produced with 
reasonable success in this valley when the soil is given deep and 
thorough cultivation. It is important to get the crop started as 
early in the spring as it is possible to work the soil, after the danger 
of severe freezing is over. Ripening before the hot weather invariably 
secures plump grain. The best results at this Station have been an 
average of 30J bushels per acre of Excelsior, a white variety. The 
grain could hardly be surpassed in quality anywhere. The land 
had been in corn the previous season, which had received good cult¬ 
ure, after which thorough and early preparation followed for oats. 
