Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-08-11
Winter Wheat in South Dakota
Press BRIIetin No. 4 Of the Expe riment
Station of the Soath Dakota State
College Of Agriculture
WINTER WHEAT IN SOUTH DAKOTA

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 cul-
ture are encouraging. Numerous trials
have been made Ia growing wheat in
other states and countries and certain
principles or rules have been laid down
as guides for the farmers Of those dis
tricts. These suggestions can be ap-
piled in 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 prob ems
IN wheat culture and South Dakota is
no exception in this respect.
SEED BED
Winter wheat requires a 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 10 TAX
ing considerable risk In seeding a field
before 1t has been back set" and we'll
stirred. Tho crop In question is a
heavy feeder and must be given every
chance to develop rapidly during the
early stages of growth aud when seed
ei on sod land 1t 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 canuo, be grown In succession on
The same field, because of lack of time
10 which TO prepare the land for the
next crop. AS soon as the previous
crop has been removed the field should
be dlsked TO prevent the loss Of moist
ure al to kill weeds that spring up.
Olsking W II prevent the formation OF
hard crust on the surface and at the
'ame time the soil will be left in such
physical condition az 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 Ia
required for the soil co settle, "The
earlier the ground is turned the better
will be The returns
The depth to which the soil In
stirred will be governed some what by
the character of The land, time of
blowing and rainfall. II the time for
seeding is near at hand deep tiIllng is
not advisable. Oklahoma has con-
Quoted extensive trials relative TO the
depth OF blowing for wheat. Plots
we're 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 sven inch plots gave an average
return oil twenty-five bushels per acre.
VARIETY TO Sow
Extensive variety tests with wheat
have been conducted 10 neighboring
states and of all the strains determined
Turkey Red stands wit out an equal.
II is a hard bearded variety, tillers
fairly well and stands droulh and cold
weather admirably. The variety pro-
duces good pasture and sells first class
on our general wheat markets. Other
strains have received some attention
but IN several cases they are the Tur-
key Red under another name.
TIME TO Sow
Since the winter wheat season comes
quite early In South Dakota early seed
ing is necessary. From the ifteenth
Of August to the fifth of September is
considered within the proper limits.
Farmers are open to criticism IL they
do seeding after the tenth OF Septem-
ber. Il IL not a 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 drill instead
of broadcasting, though first class re-
suits are reported from the latter meth
cd OF seeding, Many growers ask the
question ''Is it good practice TO drill
between the corn rOws?" II the land
has been carefully tlllea profitable
yields might accrue. II Is a better
practice. however, to remove the
stalks, disc the field and seed In the
usual manner. II land is 10 be set 10
wheat which Is now growing corn, and
the corn fails to mature early, a one
horse drill can be used.
SPRING PRECAUTIoN
Ia sections OF the state where the
soil is subject to heaving or packing,
spring culture may be necessary. II the
soil Is compact narrowing will prove
helpful In conserving moisture and a.
the same time the damage done TO tho