The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-10-09
WHEAT MIDGE ORWEEyIL.

Editor RuraI-As the time is at hand
when the farmers Of Western New York must
determine what disposition 10 make Of their
heat lands in view of the rayages of the
Weeyil | wish to submit some obsery atoms,
not rs original, but for the sake Of comparing
them with the observations Of others wLo
may chance TO notice this communication.
The soil Of my farm is loan, interspeIsed
with patches of clay, and intersected with
some swa.ey land, and as it abounds in lime
stone is naturally favorable to the produc-
ton Of wheat. | have now growing fifty
acres, occupying sufficient variety of soil TO
answer the purpose of this coHmunicatioI
which is TO present the condition under which
the weevil has thus far committed the most
serious depredations.
Insects are not capricious in their move
r.ents, and we may obtain some control Of
heir mischief by watching the circumstances
which more or less embarrass and hinder
them in their depredations. The weather IS
one important circumstance, which Il kind
Providence alone can control; but the kind
Of soil, the preparation, the time Of sowing
he seed, the variety Of wheat sown, are UNI
der our control, and in my opinion have Il
Great influence in securing the crop against
the ravages of insects.
1t is with the view TO furnish some data in
regard to the operations of the weeyil that |
lave selected of nearly the same size as pos
sble, the following series of wheat heads,
v hich have matured under the circumstances
enumerated. | have carefully counted the
.erfect kernels which now remain, and wish
Il be understood that the deficiency in mum
her, in parts of the heads, is caused by
vi The little Mediterranean have in my
crop is uniniured / have selected from the
Saules wheat:
Three heads on backward spots, high
land, each of which have 20, ii, - kernels
Three heads on early patches, high land,
A., 40, As kernels.
Three heads on dry land, highly fertili-
zed with manure, so, AZ, 54 kernels.
Three early heads, on 4walcy land, but
few as good, 30, 50, 10 kernels.
Nv general conclusion is that early devel-
opmcnt Of the head is the greatest safeguard.
Those who have hitherto sown wheat at ran
dom, without regard TO soil or preparation.
will have to desist or lose their crop. With
due regard to the following circumstances,
i.tend al present, to continue to wheat:
2 Dry land naturally favorable to wheat,
nicely prepared, SO as to secure rapid
growth in the spring.
2. Land made fertile with manure, as to
iavigorate the plant, securing carly develop
ment.
3. Sow as early as is prudent with due re-
gard to injury from the Hessian fly in the
tal.
T. Mediterranean variety on low, swaley
patches.
The observance of these rules will much
bridge the number of acres sown, but Will
give us n more certain return. | have raised
twenty-five crops of wheat with variable sue
cess-going in some as high as 800 and
900 bushels | have received more injury
IN one year, once from rust, twice from Illus
san fly, than would be inflicted by weevi i'll
seven yerrs like the present, and yet kept
on sowing. Ny experience may not be that
Of others, for am aware that locality has
much TO do with the ravages of insects.
j. Is. SMITH. NJ. u.