Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-08-18
Prom the American Farmer.
AEpIrnI Tttp Al

rived for putting in this crop, as it is one OF the most I'M
portant staples OF our husbandry-one which Is subject to
various casualties and drawbacks by freezing out and dis
sase-iti IL full time that the careful and provident husband
man should be looking around him, and making his arrange
mens to prepare his fields, in order that he may not be be-
hind hand in the time OF getting IN his seed. No farmer
ever yet lost any thing in being in advance OF his work; but
ON the contrary. is always sure TO derive benefit from has-
ing placed himself in such position, both IN n mental and
pecuniary point OF view. To a man who takes PRIDE
IN his business, the reflection that he has not, by neglect, de-
layed the necessary operations OF hisiarn, and thathe hashis
work under his control, should carry to his mind the most
gratifying sensations OF an honorable ambition, as while 1t
places him in the relation OF an example TO his nelghoors
around him, II assures him OF all those advantages arising
from the ability it gives him OF getting in his crop IN due
season.
The particular Objec, we have in view in writing this
article, is to call the attention fthe Wheat gronesto Jew
subjects which we considered OF vital importance 10 ueir
success in the growth OF the crop.
The fTsf in order is the time of sotring.
In speaking upon this point we feel a deiicacy arising
from our respect for the opinions OF others, and did we
not consider it our duty TO advocate what we consider
truth, we should feel sul more embarrassment in speak
ing on the subject than we do. To prevent the ravages
OF the fall attack of the HessiGn Fly. farmers have in our
opinion, got into the habit of seeding their wheat entirely
too late, as in their desire to avoid the fall attack Of this
bancful insect, they deny the wheat plant sufficient tune
to enucnch itself with roots, to withstand the effects OF the
thawings and treczings OF winter and early spring. II eur
winters were as they were many years ago. something
like an approach 10 an evenness Of temperature there
would be policy in such late sowing, as 70 the certainty the
grain would be protected from the autumnaI warning OF
the Fly, and no disadvantage would result from the aierna-
tons oi seasons OF winch We w pSloIC Spohtu' uW Us
from the prccarious nature OF our winters and springs, there
is no making any calculation upon theiT character or siabli-
~, we do think that the safe plan will be found IN sowing
early. and hazardRg the tall visitation OF the Fly, as In 50
doing We conceive there would be found less peril than in
trusting a crop OF scanty-rcotod wheat plants 10 the mercy
OF our ever varying ana chan, ing temperature OF the sea-
sons. What we are about 10 say now, We desire 10 be con-
sidered as mere opinion; for although there are facts to Sus-
tain the practice, we do not consider them sufficient 10 treat
the matter as ! settled question. lthas been stated upon crediii-
bic authority, that If the wheat grower use due vigilance and
watch his Nyhaaf DInutSln tho fall 81 n : Il detect the fN when
II Is in the pHpa or worm state, that, by rolling his wheat
field he may destroy the insect, and thus not only protect
ms crop from the fall attack, but lessen the number OF the
insects the ensuing spring, ana thus relieve his neId from
serious injury from their second appearance. We incline
20 the opinion that this remedy Is practicable. 1t certainly
has common sense TO recommend It, as every one mus, know
that the pressure Of some hundreds OF pounds, which the
roller weighs, passing over the fy while IN the pupG state,
must necessarily grind 1t into atoms, and ;hus cut of all
subsequent chances from indulgence in the soft dallianees
oi love, or OF depositng Its eggs with a view 10 the peTpe-
tuauon of Its kind. then we can get nd OF this enemy by
watchfulnesS and the application @: the roller. why need
suy dread be entertained OF early sowinsl We know that
there IS a greatly apprehended danger from carly sowing, OF
the wheat being lodged; out TINS we think may be obviated,
II there be sufficient potash in the soil TO dissolve the sand,
40 as to form the silieafe Of potash, that substance which
gives strength and elasticity 10 tue stem OF the plant. Pot
asa exists originally in ell clays; but If by long culture the
soil may have become exhausted OF II, il NAV he supplied
by applications of ashes. lime, mari or irgin-eldy,s so that,
without naming any others. here are four resources at hand;
to those who reside on our salt water rivers, where the
sea-weed wash up, we will state, that in that weed potash
abounds.
In the event OF an attack OF the Hessian Fly, and the ap-
picaton OF the roller, we have no doubt that the crop would
derive solid benefit from the consolidation o; the soil, and
the increased disposition and ability 1t would impart to the
plants 10 uler. But should early sowing conduce 10 RANK
KISS, II would be an easy matter to feed the wheat plants
down by turning IN { flock OF sheep in dry heather in ear
y spring. But we must be candid; We confess, notwiih-
standing existing opinions, that we should have no dread
upon the subject, IT We were satisfied that there was potash
enough in our soil; but on the contrary should look forward
TO something like a certainty, that carly SoIriHg would push
on the rpenIng OF our grain, in summer, 4 sufficient number
OF days TO enable II to escape injury from the RUsT, an enc
INV equally formidable as the Fly.
With but one single exception, ali the wheat we have ex-
arnined this season has favored the belief that early sowing
best. This brings Us to fhe time for socing. We would
a!ways endeavor 10 make our arrangements to commence
by the 18th OF September and finish from the LIST to the
Of October.
The second subject TO which we would cal. the attention
OF the wheat grower, Is, the use Of charcoal.
In France, as well rs in America, examples are Of COM
Inand TO show that the opinion prevails in the minds OF
farmers IN both countries, that the wheat crop
has been preserved from the Ill effects of the Rust by the
application OF tHe charcoal 10 the soil as a top dressing; the
quantities are not stated, but we should think that fifty
bushels 10 the acre would be sufficient. This is a substance
that every farmer may provide at bat little cost OF labor and
time. As we have before promised, the conservative pro.
pertics of charcoal may arise from it, great powers of alb.
sorpuon, affinity for ammonia, carbonic acid, and the reten-
ton OF those substances when absorbed, rs also % the fact
OF It's possessing, in its constituent properties, a portion of
the silicdte Of potash. The experiments of agricultural
chemists teach US, that charcoal will absorb ninety times its
weight OF ammonia, and that it yields II us sIoniy To the
Votaic action of the roots of plants, and the more approved
opinion u, that ammonia forms a very material food Of
plants. II these facts be as stated, the exemption arising
to the wheat plant from the use Of charcoal may accrue in
this way-tTSt by tue supply Of the silicate Vt potash to
give strength and the power Of resistance to the stem Of
ue plants-and, secondly, by Its yielding up the nut1tive
food so sL0toty, as not TO endanger their disruption through
grossness Of habit or a surchargc of the sap.vessels.
We offer these suggestions in the hope that they may in.
duce experiments 10 be made the approaching season, to Test
the virtue of charcoal. Iii possess the property ascnbed
TO IT. OF being a preventive against Rust, 1t Is desirable that
the truth Ut its efficacy be estlbllshed-ii 1t do not possess
1t, ii equally important that that fact be also established,
IN order that dclusion may be put to rest. But as neither its
eihcacy or lncfhcacy can be established without n series
OF wellconducted experiments, we sincerely trust that wheat
growers will feel themselves called upon to make them.
Hardly. We would suggest that in every instance where
wheat may be sown. that the ground undergo thorough pre-
paraton, and that all should consider deoppIoughing and re-
peated harowings essential operations.
FOrthiy. We would advise, that If the land may not
have been previously lined, that from 3 to 10 bushels Of
lime per acre be sown thereon, or an equal quantity Of ashes.
These quantities are small, but will be found sufficient for
uses OF a season. And wherever wheat may be sown
on a cloverloy, we would SOW from = 10 4 bushels OF salt
10 the acre.
FJhly. We would. by all means. be particular in tho
selection OF good seed, having due regard to weight Of
grain strength Of straw, carliness Of maturity, and quality
n flour.
SiriAiy. We would not have any wheat sown. without
having 1t hrst thoroughly washed in pure water, and then
soaked ~ a brine Of salt thut would bear an cgg or potato,
Tor ~ hours, which, when taken out, should be drained,
and then dried in lime. We are the more particular in in.
slstlng upon this mode Of preparing seed wheat. because we
noticed many accounts of injury 10 the crops ouripy
the late season from smut, q disease perfectly within the
S'ntfol oi TIE wheat grower, and which can never occur but
IRON cuIpable neglect, a. the means he have pointed out.
we do know, will prevent It's occurrence.
ScreHthiy. While we are upon the subject. lei ms ad,isr /
nl "heat growers to give 90 lns land O opuuuiul allowance
OF seed, as should he fail 10 do this, the bare portions of his
SOL VIII coll INTO being some Of thoso numerous weeds. the
seeds Of which urc always at hand. q, occuuy ..ots l,n bv
me neglect OF the husbaudmau. lie tlat wants % clean