Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-08-05
South Dakota State College
Experiment Station.
AGRoNoMY DEPARTMENT.
Clifford Willis. Chief.


w. L. Burlison, Chief Asst.
WINTER WHEAT IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
Winter wheat should occupy an i'm
portant 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 cui-
ture are encouraging. Numerous
trials have been made In growing
wheat in other states and countries
and certain principles or rules have
been laid down as guides for the
farmers Of those districts. These sug-
gestions a be applied in a general
way and satisfactory results might be
obtained, but there are special con-
Iditions under which the same rule
would not hold true. A new country
always presents new problems in
wheat culture and South Dakota is
no exception in this respect.
SEED BED.
Winter wheat requir-s a rich soil
thoroughly cultivated. Many at
tempts have been made to grow wheat
on sod land and In some cases good re-
suits have been noted. The grower is
taking considerable risk in seeding a
field before it has been 'sback set"
and we'll stirred. The crop in ques-
ton is a heavy 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 opportunity.
A we'll prepared seed bed is one Of
the most important factors connected
with winter wheat growing. Unless
the variety natures very early two
crops can not be grown in succession
on the same field, because of a 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 moisture
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 be left in such
a physical condition S will catch and
hold the moisture that falls on the
field. The pillow should start during
the early summer months if an ideal
seed bed is developed, as some time is
required for the soil to settle. ''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 character Of the land, time OF
blowing and rainfall. II the time for
seeding is near at hand deep filling is
not advisable. Oklahoma has con-
Quoted 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
average 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 deter
mined Turkey Red stands without an
equal. It is a hard bearded variety,
tills fairly well and stands drouth
and cold weather admirably. The
variety produces good pastures and
sells first class on u general 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
August to the fifth of September Is
considered within the proper limits.
Farmers are open to criticism ii they
do seeding after the tenth Of Septem-
Der. 1t Is not q safe practice to use
less than six pecks Of well graded seed
to the acre and In some instances
seven pecks would bring better yields.
To insure the proper depth the seed
should be planted with a drill instead
of broadcastipg though first class re.
suits are reported from the latter
method Of seeding. Many growers
ask the question sis it good practice
to drill between the n rows?" II
the land has been carefully titled
profitable yields might accrue. It II
a better practice, however, to remove
the stalks, disc the field and seed II
the usual manner. II land is to b
set to wheat which Is nov growing
corn and the corn fails to mature
early . one horse drill can be used.
SPRING PRECAuTIoN.
In sections of the state where th,
soil Is subject to heavinR OK packing
spring culture may b necessary. 1
the soil y compact narrowing vii