Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-04-12

PARMA, Monroe Co, N. Y, Feb. 1914.
II. T. WALTON d ONs,-GENTLEMEN,-IIav
been engaged IN the milling business some four or
five years IN your village had very GOOD oDnor-
tunity for Observing the quality of wheat raised in
your vicinity and it being on the whole rather in
terror, have IN times past suggested certain I'M
provements to the farmers in that region whereby
they would probably improve the crop of wheat,
both as to quantity and quality. BY studying the
nature OF the ingredients which must necessarily
enter into the formation of the kernel in order that
1t may come to maturity in healthy and perfect
condition, ] became satisfied that most if not ALL
the old tllage land in that section had become ex-
lausted OF ITS wheat-bearlng qualities. have had
my former opinions on the subject of raising wheat
abundantly strengthened since my removal to this
part OF Western New York, by observation and en-
qulry, and will now proceed to state the precise
mode or modes practced in this vicinity the obser-
vance of which is thought Indispensable necessary
TO insure perfect and healthy growth both of the
kernel and straw; for, depend upon 1t, without Il
clean, healthy growth Of straw, you get very in
terror quality OF wheat notwithstanding it may be
true that the kernel will sometimes fail, even with
as good clean straw ever grew. On newly clear
cd lands there is Of course nothing more to do than
hrst TO clean the surface of whatever is necessary
ana then SOW your wheat, giving the land a very
thorough dragging or narrowing. Rest assured
you VIII IN nine cases in ten reap bountilul har-
vest IN this mode but in old, worn out exhausted
SOIL the case Is entirely different and requires
very different management Take for example an
Old pasture: we break it in June, and as soon as it
is in suitable orde., drag it re,y thoroughly, with
line tooth drag; in few days after the first orag-
glng, crosS-drag 1t soon after the cross drag
glng as the sod will part without cogging the
plough, cross-plough, being very careful to break
all places not broken at the first ploughing then
drag again, and SOW your wheat, 1--WE SOW at the
rate oil l-2 to bushels to the acre and finish by
irStn wit
roller afterwards. In the mean time whether we
wish TO lay our land down for moving, or wish TO
crop again with wheat the next year. we seed very
pientluy with clover; and if for cropping, we
NOW very early say the middle of June then let
tle clover start well and turn it UNDER or which is
stu better turn under the whole crop as the root
especially OF the clover is thought to contain the
ingredients necessary to the filing of the kernel in
nuch larger quantities than any thing else Of equal
bulk.
Another process is practced here to consider
able extent. Break the land by the 10th of Au-
gust let 1t lay or days to dry, IF moist soil)
and then drug HOroughiH so as to ill the cavities
between the iurrows. Sow your wheat by the goth
or 25th at the rate Of ID to2 bushels to the acre:
drag Sma'tty, and finish by rolling with heavy roll
ler Inc object IN rolling is two fold: lst to close
all cavities under the turrow I'd, to pack tho soil
ana thus prevent it's washing i'll case Of heavy
rams. The process Of clovering for manure may
expensive here as barnyard manure besides YOU
VIII at once perceive that it would require larre
outlay OF labor to cover hundred acres of land
with any thing like suitable coat of barn manure
to keep the soil in suitable order for successive
cropping OF wheat oats corn, &c. The farm own
ed by the man, in whose employ have been the
past season, contains 500 acres, on which is now
soWn lU0 acres OF wheat; he also owns another
farm, Ia miles south of this, of 100 acres, on which
Is now sown 20 acres of whcat--the whole of the
last mentioned farm being under improvement. |
mehtlon the above facts to show something of the
magnitude OF the wheat growing interest in this
section OF country. There are some farmers in
tins county who raise from one to three thousand
bushels Of wheat annually. | am more than ever
satisfied that if the Vermont Farmer would use the
plough aud drag to the extent that the same imple-
mens are used here, he would find his account in
an abundant harvest From the time the land is
first broken the farmer should give it 10 time to
bring forth noXlous weeds--no, not SO much as the
first splre OF grass,-but should apply the drag at
short intervals, and thus prepare his land TO receive
the seed, that 1t may find sufficient soil in which to
take deep root, and thus obtain "Quantum sutfi-
cat" OF nourlshment to enable it to send forth
healthy growth Of straw,-with heads well filled
into the bargain.
For top dressing, we use gypsum, (plaster OF par
ISL lime, ashes, (both leached and unleached) and
sometimes fine barnyard manure, or compost thrown
on to the land in the spring, as soon as it is hard
enough to admit of team without injury to the
crop. Inc quantity of each necessary must be
regulated by the condition of the SOIL it respects
being exhausted of its wheat bearing qualities
This is the case more especially in regard to the
lime; for as soon as your wheat crop has exhaust
ed the lime inherent in the SOIL you will look in
vain for healthy growth of wheat The quantity
of lime would vary from to bushels to the acre,
according TO the wants of the soil
One word IN respect to dragging and rolling in
the spring, where frost has thrown the roots partly
out OF the ground during the previous winter. 1t
is practlced here to a considerable extent, on clay
soils, with good success. Drag first with light,
fine tooth drag, and finish by rolling.
ought to have mentioned in another part Of this