East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-12-07

When the grain is cut with a header
all OF the straw possible is left upon
the ground 1t may be that plowing
under OF the stubble is adding or
ganic matter to the soil faster than 1t
is being used.
The best method Of summer fall
lowing in the Columbia basin consists
In disking and narrowing in the early
spring before plowing, packing the
subsurface Immediately after plow-
ing. and following this by sufficient
surface cultivation to retain moisture
and keep the weeds under control.
While this method Is not In general
use It is becoming more popular. and
has been practiced long enough to
demonstrate its superior value. The
average yield of wheat in the state OF
Washington during the year OF 1906
was 20.4 bushels per acre. This will
represent approximately the yield OF
the Columbia basin. II It is true that
this method increases the yield 25 per
cent, the average yield OF wheat for
the entire region can be raised five
bushels per acre.
Extend Area of Winter Wheat.
This will make II possible to grow
winter wheat over a large area that
now produces spring wheat. During
the year OF 1906 the average yield OF
winter wheat In the state of Wash
fngton was four and one-half bushels
more than that Of the spring wheat.
In addition to increasing the average
yield of wheat in the Columbia basin
about five bushels per acre, It will
be seen that better tillage will fur
ther Increase the yield four and one
half bushels per acre over much
semi-arid and arid sections a point
will be reached where it will not be
possible to conserve sufficient mois-
ture to germinate grain before the
fall rains come.
Saw Only the Best Grain.
If more extensive methods of TIL
lage are to be adopted either the size
of the farm must be decreased or
their equipment increased. General
ly speaking, farmers of the Columbia
basin attempt to till more land than
can properly be handled with their
equipment. Too many varieties of
wheat are now produced in the CO.
lumbia basin. All OF them should be
thoroughly tested in the arid, semi
arid and humid sections to determine
which is the most profitable to grow
llnnnF tho fhran IN
varieties should then be improved by
selection.
the farmers as whole will secure
better results by combining them
selves to few varieties of wheat.
OF the spring varieties the Little Club
and the Red Chaff are best adapted
to the humid sections, and the Blue
stem to the arid and semi-arid con-
ditions. The Early Wilbur is a new
wheat, but gives strong indications of
considerable value in the arid sec
tion because OF its earliness.
OF the winter varieties the Turkey
Red easily stands first for the arid
and semi-arid sections. When the
grains are hard and horny it is a very
superior milling wheat. On account
OF Its tendency to become starchy it
may be necessary occasionally to ship
In seed from Kansas and Nebraska.
Fortyfold variety is adapted to the
entire region. 1t stands the winter
admirably, and its earliness gives an
advantage in both dry and the humid
sections 1t yields well and when
grown under arid and semi-arid con-
ditions 1t possesses very good milling
qualities. Like all other wheats in
the Columbia basin, its milling
qualities are not so good when grown
under humid conditions