Seedling winter grains in furrows to prevent winterkilling

Since winter grains are generally preferred to spring grains, winter-killing or winter injury is important (1) in limiting the area adapted to winter grains and (2) because of the large losses that frequently occur in areas where they are commonly grown. Grain sowed with a drill survives better than when sowed broadcast, which is probably due to the slight furrows in which the grain is placed. Seeding in furrows tends to prevent winterkilling and damage from blowing in dry areas, aids in placing the grain in contact with moist soil, and probably enables the plants to endure drought better than when sowed in the ordinary way. The furrows catch and retain snow, modify the temperature to which the grain is exposed during the winter,protect the plants from the wind, and probably reduce the injury from heavng. Winter oats sowed in furrows in filed plots survived 87.5 percent in one season as compared with only 7.5 percent when sowed in the ordinary way, and winter barley sowed in filed plots survived 87 percent while that sowed with a diskdrill was entirely kiled. The yields of wheat do not show a marked advantage from seeding in furrows as compared with the usual method (1) because wheat seldom winterkills or is seriously injured by drought where the two methods have been compared for yield; (2) because of the unsatisfactory work of the drill used for seeding in furrows in part of the experiments; (3) because of differences in the rate of seeding which probably favoredthe grain sowed in the usual manner; and because of poor drainage in some cases. The yields of the less hardy cereals, oats, barley, spelt, and emmer, are decidedly in favor of seeding in furrows wherever there has been material loss from winter-killing. There is no reason to expect different results from wheat where that cereal is subject to injury. Grain probably should not be sowed in furrows on poorly drained land, since it is likely to be injured by an excess of water, nor on step hillsides subject to erosion where it is practical to run the furrows on the contours of the field. This method would appear to be especially promising for areas where the supply of moisture is deficient and where the winters are cold and characterized by li ght snowfall and frequent winds.