228 
ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
best results, provided chinch bugs, Hessian fly and other 
insects are not present to cause great damage to the 
young crop. Moisture is also necessary. It may be 
advisable to wait until the middle or the last of October 
to sow wheat, if the conditions are not favorable earlier. 
The rate of seeding, or the amount sown per acre 
depends upon the climatic conditions and the fertility 
of the soil. From three to six pecks per acre is enough 
seed. 
Fig. 168 —Rye prevents the washing of poor soils, provides some pasture and 
a supply of green manure to be turned under. 
Wheat may be broadcasted or drilled. For a small 
field, it is perhaps as well to broadcast. Drilling insures 
a more even stand, covers the seeds better, provides a 
start that will enable the plants to withstand winter 
better, and permits sowing grass seed. 
Winter wheat provides some valuable pasture during 
these months when other pastures are not available. If 
the ground is dry, the plants are not injured, and pas¬ 
turing prevents rank growth. There is no harm done 
to the yield if the cattle are not kept too long on the 
field. 
