Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-07-30
Communication.


Mn. SrAcy-Sir: As you seem 10 take a
deep interest in the Agricultural pursuits Of
your patrons, take the liberty to send you
an article relating to new kind of WHEAT,
that, one year since, was introduced into the
United States; hoping that it may appear in
the columns of your valuable paper. As it
is no humbug, all will feel interested in it, as
il is the ground work, or basis of the " staff
of lifc."
The California, or many-hoadcd Wheat,
is an indigenous plant of California; the
first grown in the United States, was planted
by MIR. Baker, of Abbeyville, South Carroll
ma, in January 1910, and harvested in June.
Mr. Baker planted six heads, and the pro-
ducc was ten thousand. Some may doubt
the truth of this statement, in fact | did at
first, but when reasoned the matter candid
ly, saw no just grounds for doubt. The
heads generally average about one hum
drcd kernels, and the roots produce from
twelve to twenty, or twenty five heads each
but few roots fall short of fifteen heads, il
they have suitable care taken of them; and
all farmers know that their crops depend up
on due care. The crop last year was said
lin the Wilkes County News, Georgia. to
have been raised on "poor sandy soil, unas-
sisted by manure if SO we may safely in
fer that better soil will produce greater
crop. From what experience have had in
the enterprise, | think the above estimate
not too large; ofgrcat experience boast not
| have small crop growing, which bids fan
to rival the crop of last year, considering the
disadvantage of late sowing; have many
roots bearing from fifteen 10 twenty heads
each, and had it been sown as early as Other
fall and winter grain, | doubt not it would
have averaged more than twenty heads to
our northern climate, thinking it would no,
endure our severe winters; but such fears are
groundlcss, as the crop have now ripenine
will fully prove, it having w,hstood the al
most never-ending winter Of 1910 and Al
My Wheat is most of it out of the blossom
free from rust, and apparently from the wee
vii, and other insects. think to raise a large
crop of it another year, the one | now have
having convinced me that this is the grain fol
New England farmers. Something of this
kind must be introduced, to restore Vernon,
to what it was few years since, for we are
now dependant on the western country for
our bread and we arc becoming more SO
every year. The failure of one crop in the
west would exhaust our markets of Flour in
a few months; our only remedy would be
foreign importation. Vermont is a grain
growing state; why, | ask do not our farmers,
make some effort to regain our former indie
pcndcncc? Ii can be done-if not by one
kind of edible grain, it may by another
The California Wheat now presents itself
for trial-two successful trials, surely rec
ommcnds it to every grain-growcr; it seems
to say, "nying is the naked truth"-but be-
ware of what you try-try none but that in
tho head
As to the utility of the aforementioned
Wheat, ask all to reason for themselves
One kernel produces one root, one root bears
from twelve to twenty heads, one head yields
one hundred grains; thus, taking the lowest
estimate, one kernel produces twelve hun
drcd a return never yet realized from any
other kind of Wheat. By sowing this Il
great saving is effected in the seed, as it will
not require more than one peck to the acre
which peck will return twelve hundred pccks
or one hundred and fifty bushels. The crop
Of 1910 yielded at the rate of one hundred
and forty bushels 10 the acre this sta,cmcn,
is supported by abundant testimony, given by
men of high standing in South Carolina and
Georgia. To close, will give description
of the Wheat as we'll as can the head i.
about five inches long, consisting of mar
stalk, and from six, to twenty smaller stalk.
growing from it, from one half to one and a
half inches in length. 1t is bearded grain
!
! the boards are about three and one half inch
es in length the kernels resemble tho Ole
bearded Wheat-the heads are very heavy
would probably weigh as much as four o.
six heads of tho common kinds of wheat. TT
farmers, Isay, be on your guard against 4;
spurious article, for the seed is so valuable
that we may expect cheats aloat. Should
any of the Farmers IN your section wish 70
few heads of the wheat, could accommo
date them, if they apply soon, as shall have
rather more than shall want for my owl
use, and should many want it, | could pro
cure it for them, | think, by applying to
friend south of me who has raised some tin
past season. All communications postpaid
will receive prompt attention. As | canno
send you head with this, it not being ripe
! shall improve upon the first opportunit
when il becomes so. | shall be happy TO al