Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-09-14
Soil best ADAPTED to Wheat.


Soil best adapted to Wheat.
All of our commonly cultivated plants
are composed of precisely the same ele-
ments, the only chemical difference be-
tween the vast variety of plants being tho
relative proportions in which the same
elements unite to form the plant so that
if soil will produce any one of our culti-
waited crops, it possesses the capacity, so
far as the elements Of plants are concern
ed, of growing any other crop to some ex-
tent. In judging of the best kind of
plants to be cultivated on any particular
soil, therefore, we have to look to the re-
lative proportion in which the elements of
plants exist in the soil, and adopt that
class of plants which requires most Ofthe
particular clements in which the soil
abounds, or requires least OF those in which
it is deficient This would seem to be
common sense view Of the subject, yet
there are many other circumstances, often
overlooked, which, if considered, would
materially affect our conclusions. In
large crop of corn there are all the ele-
ments which large crop of wheat con-
tans, and also in larger quantities, yet
there are thousands of acres of land that
produce immense crops Of corn that cannot
be proftably cultivated with wheat. A
good wheat soil will always produce good
crop of corn, if properly titled, while much
of our best corn land will not produce
wheat under ordinary culture. The cause
of this great difference is not, We have
shown, owing to deficiency in the soil of
any element of the wheat plant, for the
requirements of the corn crop are Identical
in kind and greater in quantity than that
of wheat 1t must, therefore, be owing
either to the manner in which the yari-
ous elements are assimilated by the plant,
or to some substance in the soil, which,
though sufficient, it may exist in corn
soil for the actual demands Of the wheat
crop, yet from the different habits of the
two plants, much larger quantity may
be necessary for the performance of the
healthy functions of the wheat than the
corn plant. This substance is most
probably clay: for all soils, which
experience proves to be the best adapted
to wheat culture, abound with this sub
stance and lime The reason why clay is
so much more necessary aud beneficial for
wheat than for corn, is not clearly under
stood.
In light soil the wheat plan; is found 20
throw out It's lateral roots very near che
surface, while in claycy or heavy soil it
is more inclined to tap, and the lateral,
fbrous roots are at greater depth. In
tie former case he plant would be moro
likely to heavc ont in the spring, while in
the latter it would be better able to stand
the vicissitudes of cold and heat, from the
roots being at 4 greater depth, and having
a frmer hold OF the soil. 1t is therefore
probable that one of The benefits which
the whea. plant derives from clay, is its
preventing the extension Of fbrous surface
roots, and forcing The plant 10 grow on. 4
single tap root, which dcscends much deep
er aud takes iirmer hold of the soil.
If this is right view of The subject ,wo
should loosen ,ie sub-soil Of all our wheat
fields, by deep plowiug and sub-soiling;
while on soils rather 200 light for wheat,
every possible means should be used 10
render the soil compact and firm. Treaa-
ing the wheat in the fall with sheep has
been practiced with advantage; but in DO
ing SO, caution is necessary to preveu. Sc
rious injury in case winter Immediately
sets in. Ou all soils, which produce good
crops of corn, we believe wheat may be
grown, insomuch as there is no;hiug lack
ing which enters into the wheat plant, and
all that is necessary is 10 impart to tho
soil certain degree of texture and tenaci-
ty, which all good natural wheat soil pos
sesses. For this purpose heavy rollers
and other mechanical means must be en-
ploycd, and presser something similar to
Crosskill's Clod Crusher, of which VIC
have often spoken, would be of great be-
neit. We do not wish to be understood
to say that consolidation is the onl y thing
necessary in all cases, to insure wheat
crop on soil where corn, barley and oats
flourish for the land may in the winter
be so wet as to destroy the plant; yet, 1t
drained aud means be taken to render tho
surface compact, We believe sueh s0l''
would produce hrstrate crops ei wheat
G.s-s.c Farmer -