Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-08-30
NJ Z 8 c z I. 7. a ~ x.
From the Lexington (ya) Gazette.
SPRING WHEAT.


The thanks OF the community for his eff
forts 10 extend the cultivation of this
valuable grain, (Spring Wheat, which
VIII secure an almost certain crop of
the great staple Of the Valley. We
expect further information upon the
subject from other intelligent farmers
OF this vicinity. Wehope some ofthem
will grind small parcel of the Wheat
SO as to test the quality of the -four
The remainder they will no doubt dis
tribute literally among their brethren
of the plough.
c. c. BALDWIN, Esq.
DEAR SIR.-Your note of the 9th
ult., requesting information in relation
to my success in the cultivation of the
Spring Wheat, was not received for Sc
yeral days, and my engagements since
have prevented an earlier answer 10
the several queries propounded. will
now endeavor answer them, in the or.
der OF your note, as well as can, from
an experiment on three small lots, and
for single season. The Wheat is Of
the Bearded Family, with beautiful,
clear, yellow straw, the meshes think
| placed closer on the head than is usual
IN that variety; consequently, it gives
a better yield from the straw than a
careless observer would suppose, from
the length of the head. The grain may
be called red, and Of medium size, re.
semb!ug very much the bearded Win
ter Wheat common in our county.
In regard to soil, preparation, and
time of sowing, | would remark, that
IN the experiments | have made, | sow
ed at three times, and on different soils;
first, on the last week of February, on
a clover lallow, ploughed on the same
month ; then on stiff clay, (without
clover) about the 18th of March
ground ploughed near the time of the
first lot; and last, lot of corn land,
oil medium quality, ploughed the last
week in March and sowed as soon as
ploughed. The corn lot gave much
the best yield and best grain-standing
well and free from injury of any kind
until ripe. The two first lots gave
too luxuriant growth-end the Wheut
fell before II was made-consequent
the grain was somewhat shriyeled, but
| the straw was clean and free from rust.
The quantity sown was about / ! bush.
els per acre, which, have no doubt,
was one third too much, and the yield
near 10 for one, on all the lots togeth-
er, bat considerably more on the corn
land. | cut the Spring Wheat the day
! finished cutting the winter grain, and
my belief is, that IN ordinary seasons,
It will ripen about the same time. As
to its yield in flour, cannot speak, not
having had any ground, but judge from
the appearance OF the grain, that it
will not make as fair flour as any of
the white varieties Of Wheat, but that
1t will yield -four, in quantity and quail.
ity, equal to the bearded winter Wheat
or any of the red Wheat common a..
mongst US. In answer to the query,
" whether the grain can be advanta-
geeusly substituted, in whole or in part
for the common winter Wheat" have
no hesitation in saying, that it should
not be substituted in whole, but that |
am opinion that it may be advanta-
geousIy substituted in part. | think
that corn land is the best preparation,
and that all, or so much of il as cannot
be well prepared, and soWed in good
time for winter Wheat, should be re.
served for this crop. Every farmer
will at once see how much such an ar
rangement would relieve him in his gal
labors, and with what ease, and how
handsomely he could prepare his corn
land for spring crop, by removing the
stalks off the land at his leisure in the
winter, to the barn yard.
Your last query is, whether | have
any seed to dispose of. have ruised
more than wish to sow-but many
persons have made application for seed,
and until they call and receive what
has been promised, | am unable to say
how much | will have to spare.
1t is my desire 10 dispose of it m small
parcels, and TO spread il as widely as
possible, believing as do, that it will
be a valuable crop, particularly in sit
uations and on land subject to injury
from the action of the frost. believe
| have answered all your queries, in a
hasty and imperfect way to be sure I;
but hope, that as other farmers in the
neighborhood have tried the same crop,
they will, through your paper, favor
US with their experience and views, and
thus any omission of mine viii be sup
piled. or error into which may have
fallen, corrected.
Very respectfully,
A. T. BARCLAY.
AUGUST 1897