The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-27

is necessary TO successful cultivation. Such,
however, is the diversity of soil, fertility, aud
climate, together with various other circum-
stances, that no rule universally applicable can
be laid down. Perhaps, in regard 10 this sub
ect, as well as many others, it may be said that
"truth lies between extremes" Sowing spar
ingly has been condemned by high authorities,
and its practice is doubtless far more pernicious
than it's opposite. | will here give rule, which,
though at variance with some theories, | am
quite satisfied is correct, viz: that the richer
the ground, the less seed is required. Ii is the
practice with some farmers TO SOW only two
thirds the usual quantity of seed on poor land,
while on that which is rich, they SOW an extra
quantity in the latter instance they say, 81 the
land can bear it, in the first, they suppose it
can support no more.
These conclusions must have been adopted
without any very close observations of nature
in such cases. In the first place, if the land
does not produce something valuable, it is sure
to produce something valueess and il grain on
poor soils is sown thin, it is overpowered by the
more hardy natural growth. Grain will not
spread or tiiler on such soils, and ii must, there
fore, be sown so thick that the crop may sufii-
GENTLY cover the ground at once. before the
wild plants can obtain q foothod On the
other hand, grain plants in rich soils have nat
ural tendency to tiIler or branch, and this ten
dency is always in proportion to the strength Of
the soil. 1t is from this cause that wheat on
rich land often RECEIVERS from the attacks of the
fly, while that on poor soil is killed The
strength and vigor of the roots, in the former
case, continue to throw up new stalks, till after
the insect ceases its ravages; but from want of
this energy, the plants in poor soil perish under
the first attack. 1t is thus evident that poor
land requires the most seed The preparation
of seed is an important matter. The cleanest
and heaviest should be sown. IL it contains
seeds of pernicous plants, they should be taken
out. 1t will amply pay to pick over by hand a
peck or half bushel of wheat, to be sown on a
piece of good clean ground, purposely for seed.
Chess or cheat, oats and other seeds lighter
than wheat kernels, may be principally taken
out by putting the grain in strong brine, a
small quantity mt time, and stirring with a
stick The foul seeds will rise, and may be
skinned of.
So,oing WheaL-This is another important
consideration. Few persons are aware how
very much the yield of the wheat crop depends
upon the manner in which the seed is deposited
in the soil risk nothing in saying that fully
one-third could be added with certainty to any
farmers crop by due attention to this point.
deposited in the soil, has engaged the attention
of the "most eminent agricul.urists and scien-
tiic men of Europe, and its vast importance ac-
knowledged by them" If seed be placed by
accident or design at such depth in the earth, as
to be out of the influence of the air, and though
they may be surrounded by the requisite degrees
of heat and moisture, they will nevertheless re-
man dormant We have many instances of
the truth of this in every day practice, and of
the itnpershable properties of some kinds of
seed when excluded from the influence of the
air. If seeds are dropped on the surface of the
ground, they will remain uniniured and unal-
tered so long the air is perfectly dry; but in
moist air germination commences, and the point
of the root will quickly protrude and find its
way into the soil.
This is the ordinary process of nature; but
experience has taught US, that though nature
distributes grain aud other seeds generally on
the surface of the spot where produced, yet
there is a proper depth at which all seed should
be deposited, and which is specially suitable.
This depth is obviously that which, while it
yields the necessary degrees of heat and mois.
ture, and darkness is yet within the requisite
influences of the air. To guard against over
deep sowing or buryng the seed altogether, 81
as not to terminate at all, it is evident that no
seed should be sown until the ground is first
narrowed, and made level, and when sown, a
light harrow passed over the field, will cover the
seed about one inch, which is all sufficient
This is universally done in the Northern States
Smu-Various theories have been advanced
in regard to the origin and cause of smut no one,
however, that | have seen, is very satisfactory
! There was time when smut was the dread OF
every sower of wheat but Stree the discovery OF
,atn 1,r 20 ka,, 1oc. ~. 49,
and no fear of loss or damage from it need be
entertained. Blue vitrio if properly applied, is
sovereign remedy. It's use and application
are too we'll understood to require discussion
! Twill therefore merely state that the usual prac
tice in its application is this: To one pound OF
blue stone, dissolved in sufficient quantity OF
water add four or FIVE bushels of wheat, let il
remain from twenty to thirty hours, aud no smut
will appear in the crop grown from this seed
whatever may have been the character of the
seeds as regards smut
| RuSL-Various opinions and theories have
been suggested in regard to the origin Of rust
and mdew in wheat. "The prevalent opinion
/ OF the French and other natUralists of the pres
ent day, is, that they, like smut, consist Of small
parasitical plants designed to be nourished upon
the wheat plant" Whatever may be the fact
! the appearance Of these diseases bears as near
a relation to certain states Of the weather at the
time the wheat is maturing its seed, the
of the tides to the changes of the moon These
diseases usually occur in the damp, hot, steady,
foggy weather of May or early in June. In low
and confined situations wheat is much oflener
! blighted and affected with rust and mildew than
/ in situations which are more elevated, and where
the air circulates freely. 1t seems to he the cri
teal time when the wheat is in the milk, and
such weather occurs.
Some writers believe the rust plant or fungus
whatever it may be, always exists on The stalk
of wheat, bat It's growth is not such as TO injure
/ the plant, unless The warm weather and moisture
unite at particular period during the growth Of
the plant, and prior to that period il is not visi
bic to the naked eye. Others entertain differ
ent opinion. Whatever may be the capse, it is
an important question to farmers whether they
have il in their power In any degree (for an
not aware any very satisfactory remedy has beer
givenO to guard against the great losses that
frequently occur by the rust or mildew upor
their wheat crops The sowing early varieties
thorough draining and ventilating are, perhaps
the surest guarantees.
Proper Stage of Cutting Wheat The proper