The relation of seeding practices to crop quality

The data available concerning crop quality indicate a positive relation to seedling practices. In view of the wide variation in growth conditions throughout the country, no specific recommendations as to seeding can be made which will fit all regions. However, it is apparent as a general principle in the case of cereal crops that those practices which lead to a maximum average yields are also satisfactory from the standpoint of crop quality. In the case of corn, in those regions where it is a full-season crop, seeding early during the normal planting season insures earlier maturity, lower moisture content, better keeping qualities, and higher viability if exposed to low freezing temperatures. The relatively early seeding of smallgrains commonly leads to higher test weight and low percentage of hull in the case of hulled crops. Delayed seeding of wheat tends to increase its percentage of protein which is a quality much sought by the milling trade. Its attainment by this means is accomplished, however, at too much sacrifice in yield to be justifiable. Under climatic conditions represented by the State of Washington where wheat may become infected through soil-borne smut spores, minimum smut infection may be attained by extremely early or late seeding, at the expense, however, of yield. A medium early date results in reasonably low percentage of smut and maximum yield of grain. So far as quality is concerned, the cereals may be planted at a rate conducive to highest acre yield. Within reasonable limits the grain quality is but little affected in important respects by variations in seeding rate. In the case of forage crops, where fineness of stem adds to the palatability and reduction in waste when fed, it is desirable to seed thicker than necessary to get the maximum yield. Ordinarily the yield will not be reduced thereby and the forage will be finer and more leafy. It appears that for silage purposes, corn may be advantageously spaced somewhat closer than for grain in order to get maximum tonnage of feed. Unduly heavy seeding, however, results in no gain in yield and produces silage relatively low in proportion of grain. Practically no data are available concerning the relation of manner of planting to the quality of the crop. Practices designed to give maximum yield are satisfactory from the quality standpoint and are most efficient in farm practice. The formalin and copper carbonate treatments of smut-infected seed wheat are efficient means in most of the country for increasing the yield, test weight, and freedom from smut. Treatment with copper carbonate containing about 20% metalic copper is especially to be recommended.