The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-09-26
From The Southern Farmer.
Seeding Wheat. Of the Soil

@zs9aF rron the southern r rarfner.
Seeding Wheat.-rreparatlon Of the Soil.
The season is now cluse at hand when
farmers will be called upon to perform one
Of the most important operations of the farm
that Of seeding whest--the modns operandi
Of which, is the subject Of much diversity Of
opinion In the remarks which we propose
making, il is not our intention to enter into
any discussion on these widely diversified
opinions, but only 10 offer lew general sug-
gestions on a subject which cannot fail to be
interesting to our agricultural readers. As
is well known, wheat is Of very general cul-
| tiyation on all classes OF soils, though il does
not follow that all soils are equally adapted
| to its profitable culture. The soils best suit.
cd to wheat are those which are more or less
clayey; and so peculiarly suited are they to
the growth Of wheat, that they are, amongst
farmers, familiarity known as wheat SOILS
Light and sandy soils are least suited to the
production Of wheat and il is serious error
IN practice 10 force the growth OF wheat on
soils and under circumstances which are bet
ter suited TO the mare profitable production
Of other grains. a general rule, applicable
10 all cases in which wheat is s0wn, is, that
the land shall be in the best condition that
the circumstances allow, with respect TO
tillage, clcanness and fertility. As wheat
is the most valuable Of all grains, so il re-
quires greater care to produce it. 1t is an
error that brings with il its own punishment,
to SOW with grain crop any land which is
out Of order; but the error is greater aud
more hartiu. IN the case of wheat than OF any
other grain, either as regards the interest ol
the agricullurist or Of the community. In
our region Of country wheat is generally sown
upon clsyer ley, pea fallOw, or after a
corn crop. The seeding of wheat either after
clover or peas, is undoubtedly the preferable
mode; and though occasional goud crnps are
made after curn, yet on an average. they are
greatly misunderstanding to our own expe.
Renee, rarely exceeding one-hali or two,
thirds Of that grown on well prepared clO-
YER falluw-and We have heard experienced
aud successful farmers estimate tie conpa.
rative result as greatly less.
Whether wheat Is sown after clover or
pea iall0w, or after corn, We hold that good
aud thorough preparation before seeding is
necessary. In the case uf preparing clover
fallow, much diversity ol opinion prevails
amongst farmers. many objccling TO give the
land any other preparation than single turn
OF the harrow TO slightly level the ground be-
fore seeding. Others again prefer repeated
narrowing, or even a shallow relallow, and
the use Of the roller. SO as TO get the soil in
the best possible tillh before seeding; aud
/. with this practice our own experience agrees
BY pursuing this practice there is, IL our opin
ion. a two.iol,l benefit gained. On all vel
cultivated and improved farms, when there j,
a clover ialluw for waat, there is not only il
most eases u growth Of clover. but heavy
growth Of weeds Of various kinds, and vary.
Ing in height lrom three TO six feet; eonse.
guently, the pIowing under Of this heavy
growth uf vegetable matter leaves the ground
IN light, upen and spongy condition--oi il.
: self unIayoiable ~ the wheat crop-but whirl
the frequent passing over ol the teams in The
. subsequent culture Of the surface. tends great
] ly 10 compress. The surface j. thus placed
IN the best possible condition for receiving
The undcrsoil and mixture Of vegetable mat
ter compressed and placed in condition
more favorable for the wheat crop.
The seasun for seeding wheat 10 Lowei
Virginia may be considered as being Iron
the Goth Of September to the 10th Of No,em
ber; but when practicable, TO accomplish
seeding all 10 the month OF October, we would
from our oWn experience aud observation
recommend il as being under general .ircun
stances the best season. We have on tide
water lands found wheat sOwn before the 81
or 10th Of October subject to injury from th'
ilessian ily. and all suwn after the Stli 9
10Th IL November, nine seasons ia ten. Of Al
inferior growth and yield.
. The chuiCe of the variety of wheat Cor seed
ing is an important consideration for the far
!. mcr, oi which, IN each individual case, HI
, , must be his own judge ; and ~ making d se
: lection, that variety best suited TO the sol
i and Us exposure, urust salcablc IN the sur
9 rounding markets, and ul earliest maturity
!. should receive the preference.
The quantity of seed 70 be snwn per acr
!, admits Of considerable variation, aud is
!. point an which farmers are BY no mean
!. egrerd. each seeding according 10 his Owl
= judgment. In deciding this matter, the va
riety of vheal, and size of it, grains, an,
quality Of land to be seeded, as also the SEA
sun when the wheat is sUwn, (lhe later seed
ing requiring slight increase Of iced, pc
aere.l ought to be taken into consideration
: As general rule for this section 81 country
II bushels of The small grained red whoa
Per acre would be sufficient, and from (
i 2 bushels o. the larger grained white yarie
q ties. In seeding wheat. as well as oihe
z small gains, II appears 10 Us that many far
!. mrrs commit singular blunder; the riches
pcriinns ol their fields receive the heavies