Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1910-08-04
Winter Wheat in South Dakota.


Winter wheat should occupy an
important place on the farms of South
Dakota, especially those west of the
Missouri river. That winter wheat can
be grown in many sections of this state
is evident. Experimental work with
this crop has not advanced far, but the
prospects for its extended culture are
encouraging. Numerous trials have
been made in growing wheat in other
states and countries and certain princi-
Piles or rules have been laid down as
guides for the farmers of those districts
These suggestions can be applied in a
general way and satisfactory results
might be obtained, but there are special
conditions under which the same rule
would not hold true. A new country
always presents new problems in wheat
culture and South Dakota is no excep-
ton in this respect.
SEED BED.
Winter wheat requires rich soil,
thoroughly cultivated. Many attempts
have been made to grow wheat on sod
land and in some cases good results
have been noted The grower is TAX
ing considerable risk in seeding a field
before it has been ''backset" and well
stirred. The crop in question is aheavy
feeder and must be given every chance
to develop rapidly during the early
stages of growth and when seeded on
sod land it does not have this opportun-
ity.
A well prepared seed bed is one of
the most important factors connected
with winter wheat growing. Unless
the variety natures very early two
crops cannot be grown in succession on
the same field, because of lack of
time in which to prepare the land for
the next crop. AS soon as the previous
crop has been removed the field should
be disked to prevent the loss of moist
ure and to kill weeds that spring up.
Disking will prevent the formation of a
hard crust on the surface and at the
same time the soil will beleft in such a
physical condition as will catch and hold
the moisture that falls on the field.
The pillow should start during the early
summer months il an ideal seed bed is
developed; as some time is required for
the soil to settle. 1.-THE earlier the
ground is turned the better will be the
returns.
The depth to which the soil is stirred
will be governed somewhat by the char
acter of the land, time of blowing and
rainfall. If the time for seeding is near
at hand deep tilling is not advisable.
Oklahoma has conducted extensive trials
relative to the depth of blowing for
wheat. Plots were disked three inches,
Others were plowed three, four, five,
six, seven, eight and nine inches. The
disked plots yielded six bushels per acre
while the seven-inch plots gave an aver
age return of twenty-five bushels per
acre.
VARIETY TO SOW.
Extensive variety tests with wheat
have been conducted in neighboring
states and of all the strains determined
Turkey Red stands without an equal 1t
is hard bearded variety, tillers fairly
well and stands drouth and cold weather
admirably. The variety produces good
pasture and sells first class on our gen.
eral wheat markets. Other strains have
received some attention. but in several
cases they are the Turkey Red under
another name.
TIME TO SOW.
Since the winter season comes quite |
early in South Dakota early seeding Is
necessary. From the fifteenth Of Aug
ust TO the fifth OF September is consid- |
cred within the proper limits. Farmers
are open 70 criticism II they do seeding
after the tenth Of September. Il Is not |
SAFE practice to use less than six pecks
q VOL graded seed 70 the mere and IN
some Instance seven pecks would bring