American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-08-04
farmers Column.
How to Secure Wheat in wet Weather,

On observing in tho Richmond Wing
communication from Lunenburg,
which speaks of the great destruction
of wheat, iii that part of tho country
from wet weather., am induced to give
to tho public my experience in regard
to the management of the wheat harvest
under such circumstances this embra-
ces period Of 40 years or moro. The
communication from Lunenburg states,
that in many instances, the wheat was
suffered to remain on tho ground four
or five days-this was a great aud fear
full error, as | can assert from tho most
ample and satisfactory experience.
About 80 years ago, when l lived in
the county of Essex, upon the Kappa
hammock river, there was the finest
growth of wheat l ever remember TO
have seen but once. The rain common
ced with the harvest, and continued
during tho whole it, and for some
days after it terminated. felt myself
perfectly at a loss how to proceed. But
having an intelligent and experienced
overseer, consulted him as to what had
best be done. He recommended, that
| should contrivo to cut tho wheat, re-
CARELESS of tho rain. and put it up i'm
mediatcly in cocks of about five bushels
securing the tops by spreading sheaf
of wheat upon the top of each, and not
to open or disturb them until all appear
ances of rain had ceased. readily a.
dopted his plan and did not disturb
the cocks until tho wheat was removed
to the barnfor thrashipg. When com
mcnced moving tho wheat, | found the
outsdes of the cocks as green as mead
ow, and SO much sprouled that most of
it was lost. But although the straw, on
the outside, was mouldy, tho grain was
in perfect state of preservation and
the crop, both as to quality and quantity
the best ever remember TO have made;
and l have always pursued tho same
method ever since: and with equal sue
cess; nor have | dreaded wet harvest
since. The greater part of the crop of
which L speak was cut when the rain
was pouring down in torrents, and put
up Immediately as have said, and not
q grain disturbed until it was removed
10 the barn yard.
My neighbors pursued n different
plan; cutting and putting up their wheat
as L did. But when the sun would
como out, las it frequently did, they had
,heirshocks oponedto dry; thus frequent
ly subjecting the whole of their wheat
to the action of the sun, and having to
put them up again hurriedly, before
they were thoroughly dried, they were
loosenod so as to bo thoro'ly penetrated
by the rain, " spotted thro' and through.
My wheat having been put up, after be-
ing thoroughly soaked by the rain, and
not opened again, was SO compact, that
neither the rain, nor the rays of the sun
could penetrate far into the shocks, and
| fouad the wheat on the inside uniniu-
red, and of most excellent quality. And
} will add, that to secure crop ofwheat
under such circumstances, it is better
! not to ito the wheat in bundles, as il
packs much closer when not tied. Con-
sideiing the information of very great
importance, to farmers, and believing
that 1t would DO more apt to influence
those acquainted with me than an anon
ymous communication, | subscribe nv
name tolt. WIN. GARNErT.
Formerly of Essex county Va.