The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-09-02
o. P. e.,

DEED WHEAT AND ITS PREPARATION For
SOWING.-The following article from the
Mark Lane (England) Express, is worthy the
pcrlSal of American farmers -
"A great. consideration with the agricultu-
rist should be, TO suit the variety to be sown
to the condition and fertility of the soil 4
rich soil should be sown witha short-strawcd
variety-a poor soil W nh free. growing long
strawcd sort. The season of sowing should
again decide as to the variety. White wheat
should not be sown late in the season, or Oh
very riGh sol. The red wheat is better a.
dautcd for late seasons and rich soils. The
straw Of the red wheat takes up more silica
or flinty nature than the white variety: hence
that brightness on the straw ofrcd wheat;
this, of itself, is the great cause Of its com
parativc safety from that destructive parasite
mldew-that black fungus plant so frequent
ly found growing upon the stalks of the
wheat plant and preventing its further pro-
gross by taking all juices designed for the
support Of the wheat to promote its own de-
vclopmcnt.
Having thus shortly given some general
outlines with the view Of directing TOT proper
| choice of wheat for seed, will now offer
remark OF two upon its preparation for seed.
1t has become a settled conviction in my own
mind, that smut IN 1rasat is mainly derivable
from the smntty particles sown along with
| the grain, and by which 1t becomes tainted Or
imprrgnatcd. Its also derived from or prop
agatcd by smut deposited in the soil from
! any previous crop, such as blacks in oats,
&c. have proof of this faint causing smut
in more cases than one. The great thing
then is, to destroy the power or influence Of
this snutty dust. If this can be done with
| out injury to the grain all the better. Much
loss has often cnsucd from the incautious use
! of arsenic, (''whitc mercury") and sulphate
of copper, (''bluc vitriol.'o The more sim.
pie the remedy, if cifcctual. the more dcsira-
bic, and the greater the necessity for its adop-
ton. Frequent washing in clear running
| streams of water is efcctual strong dressing
with hot lime is efltctuaI These arc simple
appliance in u brine, made Of
salt and water has the twofold effect and adj
vantage of destroying the smut, and floating
of all impurities, seeds of weeds, &c.
There are innumcrable specifics put forth
for dressing seed wheat, many of which, no
doubt are good and proper; and where any
ono Of them has been adopted and practiscd
with decided success, it would be bad policy
to discontinue its use. My own practice i;
very simple, and easily effected In the even
ing prior to the next days drilling, as much
wheat as may be required is shot into heap
and we'll damped with water; it is left for Il
few minutes to imbibe the water, and then
freely and profuscly busted over with quick
lime--such busting continued as it is repeat
eddy turned over. The heap is then rounded
up, and left till morning, when it is put IN
sacks ready for drilling. Should the day
prove unfayorablc the heap is spread thinly
over the floor, and in this state it will keep
for an indefinite period. Ipresumc it is quito
superfuous to intimate that all seed corn
should be free from weeds; good and clean
! ly farmer would most thoroughly rcpudiate
| the idea of sowing seeds of weeds. l, howev-
CT beg more attention to this point. Never
make use ofseed wheat containing other seeds.
1t is said that weeds prevalent in one district
will not grow in another: don't try it. I
know that the pernicious weed called 'Gold-
ings," or ''Gules," has been thus introduced
into a district where, till lately. it was m-
known. Weeds will become habituated in
any soil; therefore avoid them as you would
a pestilcncc. If, by some unforeseen or acci-
dental cause, a farmer be induced to mako
choice ola sample of wheat containing seeds.
he should use every means to clean it. This
may be pretty nearly effected by winnowing
or swimming in astrong briny mixture.
FoREIGN LITERARY INrELLIGENcE.-Mr.