Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-09-03
CULTURE OF WINTER WHEAT.


winter wheat promises a fine crop; and with a
strong hope and belief that much more may
profitably be sown the present year, | wish to
cail the attention of farmers to the preparation OF
land, manure &C., for this crop; not that | can
offer anything new, but simply wishing to en-
courage every one to try the experiment, if it
is to sow but one peck.
Five years ago, my bushe was sown, which
produced about twenty and think we have
not had less crop since. Last year we had 33
bushels from one, and some of the present
growth stands FIVE and two-thrds feet high
But to the subject of soil, preparation, &c.
find that any dry soil with sufficient slope
Of surface to drain off the surplus water from
melting snow and heavy rains will produce good
wheat, with suitable cultivation. The last and
present month is the proper time to plough in
grass, and even if it be tough, bound-out-sword,
when well turned, rolled and narrowed to pre-
vent the grass sprnging up in the interstices
between the burrows, it may be made to bear
good winter wheat, with the addition of light
top dressing of decomposed barn-yard or stable
manure, or compost. Glover turned under, or
if the grass must be saved for winter fodder,
plough in the stubble Immediately after the hay
is taken off, and if the land is in condition to
produce two or more tons per acre, it will bear
good wheat without manure. small quanti-
ty of plaster will improve it.
The stubble of spring grain ploughed in with
the application of suitable top dressing, or
without it, if the land is sufficiently rich, an
swers very well. Corn may be removed from
the field in season to plough and sow to good
advantage, and land that will produce fifty or
more bushels of corn to the acre will be III
strength sufficient to bear large wheat without
additional manure. White blue-nose or other
early varieties of potatoes may be harvested in
season for wheat.
Swamp muck or sods and earth taken in ma
king bitches in low land, and leached ashes or
lime, composted make excellent top dressing
Add one or two loads of animal manure to eve-
ry ten of the compost, and let it lie few weeks
before it is used. Shoveng it over once or
twice improves it. 1t makes very rich CON-
post.
If muck cannot be had, take the deposits
from water courses or by the roadsides or from
pastures or woodlands, and mix all that may
be found under the horse stable, cattle stalls,
sheep sheds, hencry, privy &c, with these ma
terials, taking care to make fresh deposit of
Of fresh earth or muck under said stalls, for
next years use. Add lime, ashes or plaster,
and by twice shoveling over the heap, it will be
in fine order for use another season. Nothing
is here offered but what have tried success
fully, and it is with the hope that these desuto-
nv remarks may induce some persons that have
experimental further than have to give the
results of their labors as ! believe we all, of
every profession and vocation, agree that it is
Of vital importance to the State that We raise
our own bread.
Clean seed is desirable, if we would have
clean crop. regret to see so many rye, chess
&c, as in some fields the rye seems to predom-
mate. The first sowed was seed imported
from Poland. Among this was little rye,
chess, and climbing plant, which | called tares,
that run over the tallest wheat, enclosing quite
a handful in its embrace, and decorated with a
beautiful cluster of pink fowers-a ready sign
for its own destruction, which soon followed.
We have got pretty nearly rid of the rye, by
pulling it up, rs it heads higher and some days
before the wheat. Not so with the chess it is
lower than the wheat, and an oat-shaped head
and it is difficult to separate it. We spent much
time, the first and second years. on the chess
and could not get rid of it. After trying wind
and water, and sitting in powerful N. Y. mill,
which would nearly cleanse it, but not quite, it
occurred to me to try the experiment of strong
salt brine. This was eflectual, as the brine
would raise all light grain, such as oats, chess,
witch-grass seed, &C., to the surface, where it
may be easily skinned off,
We have growing both the standard varieties
of winter wheat that are most in favor Of this
State, viz: the Poland, and Kloss Blue Stem,
alias Banner wheat. They grow side by side,
Ga dead furrow only intervening, to keep them
from mixing) Both look well, and cannot
even risk a guess as to which will turn out best
ut harvest.
have sown no other than the Poland, until
last year, supposing that it would be hardy,
from the fact of its being imported from lati-
tude north of us; and | find that it stands the
winter, on dry ground,as well as English grass.
Good wheat may be grown, have no doubt,
on pasture land, without manure, especially if
it is poughed early in summer. Ashes or plas-
ter would unquestionably improve the growth.
My object is, if possible to draw the atten-
ton of farmers to the subject of raising winter
wheat, thereby save few of the tens of thou.
sands that are annually sent out from this State
for -four. Cor. Me. Farmer.
A BUSINESS TRANsAcTIoN-A fellow was
engaged to girl in Maine, but liked her sister
hptfpr than he did her WISHING tn ha off with |