Exercises

I. Translate the following sentences into Russian. Pay attention to different meanings of as and its combinations.

1. The stems as well as the leaves of this plant are used as feed for

livestock.

2. As the young plant grows it needs more water.

3. To know the structure of the plant is as interesting as to know the functions of its parts.

4. Flowers are very important, as seeds are produced in them.

5. This farm crop requires much water and good soil conditions as well.

II. Make sentences using the following words and word combinations. Translate them into Russian.

1. tillage practices; by applying; proper ;can be improved; soils.

2. a fine soil; are used; harrows; to produce.

3. seed; in; a moist soil; rapidly; germinates.

4. in one operation; harvest; thresh; and; combines.

III. Translate the following sentences. Pay attention to different meanings of the verb to have.

1. Our farm has low – quality corn seed.

2. Our farm has planted low- quality corn seed.

3. Our farm has to plant low- quality corn seed.

4. Some grain drills have attachments for spreading fertilizers.

5. Some modern grain drills have been produced recently.

6. On our farm there are some grain drills which have to be equipped with attachments for applying herbicides.

IV. Show the sentences where the predicate is in the Present Perfect Tense. Translate them.

1. Rolling of the soil has produced a firm soil.

2. Fertilizers were broadcast before planting last season.

3. Modern potato diggers have been produced this year.

4. Aeration and temperature of the soil are improved by plowing and harrowing.

5. Seeds sown ten days ago have not germinated yet.

V. Answer the following questions.

1. What are wheat plants?

2. What depends on the climatic and soil conditions?

3. Why should the farmers sow (spring) wheat early in spring?

4. How should the farmers avoid the Hessian fly?

5. What factors can affect the rate of tillering?

6. What is the usual depth of wheat sowing?

Lesson 6

Winter Wheat.

That the growing of winter wheat carries with it the problem of winter injury has been long known. On heavy moisture-retentive soils, freezing causes the formation of ice crystals and an expansion that lifts the plants. When freezing is followed by thawing the soil settles down, the roots being thus left exposed. Repeated freezing and thawing is likely to cause the commonly observed condition called heaving in which roots are broken, the roots and crowns become exposed, and many plants die. Poorly nourished plants with weak root systems are sure to be more affected by heaving than vigorous thrifty plants, but under extreme circumstances the best of wheat may be injured.

When ice sheets form on low-lying grounds, they may be sufficiently dense to cause the wheat to smother. Smothering may be due to a lack of oxygen, but accumulation of carbon dioxide in toxic concentrations appears to be the primary lethal factor.

Overwintering wheat may be killed by the direct effect of low temperatures.

Winterkilling, both from heaving and from the direct effect of low temperatures, is usually much more prevalent in early spring than in the coldest part of the winter, although low temperatures may kill wheat whenever they occur, especially if wheat is poorly insulated by inadequate snow cover. The chief defence against winter injury to wheat is the selection of a winter-hardy variety. Winter hardiness in wheat is greatly influenced by environment. A variety hardy under certain circumstances may prove susceptible under others. Nevertheless, winter-hardy varieties have been developed for each of the winter-wheat areas.

Further, to avoid winter losses, it is necessary that wheat should be planted early enough to develop a strong, well-nourished root system before cold winter sets in.