The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-03
For As UniOn and JO.raa
Wheat.--Tho Time 70 Cut II.

Mr. EDITOR Until recently, the prac.
,ice pursued, almost universally by our
farmers, in cutting and curing wheat, has
been erroneous, and based upon an entire
misapprehensiOn OF the nature and require
ments Ofthe plant. Many deny the cutting
until the grain is dead ripe, and then permit
it TO remain exposed in small stacks, in the
field, ill the straw has become black, and
the grain deprived Of much Of lis value by
tho actions Of heat, air and rain. Where
seed is required, i, is unqus,iOnably proper,
aud no, only proper but necessary ,ha, the
crop be allowed TO acquire full development
and maturity before it is cut; bu, in case
whero the grain is intended for flour, early
cutting is preferable, and will bo found to
add materially to the value Of tho wheat
The time for cutting may be considered as
being indicated with sufficien, accuracy, by
tho change The kernel undergoes from the
fluid 10 pul,accous or "doughey" state
The fine white fluids contained within the
hulls, as they change progressively and be-
come more and more indura,ed, assume an
appearance and consistency very nearly
identical with unbaked dough and when this
change has been thoroughly consumma,ed,
no time should be los, in securing the crop.
The introduction Of reaping machines en-
ables tho farmer who has many acres, to
Gu, his entire crop before any portion Of j,
has become Ainty, or arc deprived, BY
excessive ripeness, Of that fine white ap'
pearance which constitutes so desirable a
characteristic in flour intended for domestic
use. AS general rule, we should recon-
mend the housing Of the crop so soon ns
the straw is perfectly cured. Nothing is
gained by permitting the grain to remain
ou, after the haulm assumes dead COLOR
Where the crop !, no, very largo, the sheayes
may be placed around the walls Of tho barn,
or deposited on racks in sheds, care being
taken 10 arrange them in such manner as
not 10 Induce heat or mould, which will
rarely occur il tho crop is properly cured in
the field, even under the mos, disadvan,a-
geous circumstances.
BY cutting early, the sapid and mu,ricious
properties OF the straw are saved, and the
same when chafTed, and mixed with meal
or rasped roots, which is now very econom.
ically effected by chatting and rasping ma.
chimes, makes mos, pa!atable and mutri-
cious food for stock whereas, IL ], bo al.
lowed 10 dry and become hard in the field,
and deprived Of its alimoniary properties, il
is only TO be used as litter, or 10 be added ,c
the contents OF the manure heap, or thrown
away. All grain when cut at the stage o.
maturity above indicated, that is, when The
milk is becoming hard, is much more valu'
able for feeding purposes /, is con,endet
tha, the stalk, at this stage, is sufficiently
repleie with the rich juices, to perfect the
operation OF filling, which the sickle is sup
posed by many, TO arrest. Experiments
carefully made, and often repeated, have
fully demonstrated tho correctness Of this
view. We would, however, remark in con-
clusion, ,ha, all grain intended for seed
should remain uncu, till tho vital principle
or terminating power has been fully per.
fec,ed. But even where seed is the object
the grain is no means benefited, or in any
way improved by long standing. It also
much moro liable to sha,iet out, and the los:
in any way, is onen more than equivalent
to the gain. Especially is this true o.
wheat ryo and oats.