The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-01-21
TILLERING.
BY A NORFOLK (ENoLASp) FARMER.

TILLERING.
BY A NORFOLK (ESGLASp) FARMER.
! On this subject most, il not all Of the
writer's have fallen into singular mistake
as to the origin of the tillers of cereal plants.
II is laid down by them as an established
fact that the tillers proceed from the coronal
roots. which Invariably form on the plant
Just below the surface Of the soil. This is
so confidently laid down by every writer /
have consulted, that | took il for granted
that 1t was correct; until having recently
had extensive opportunity Of examining for
myself, have at once discovered, what anv
other person may do with very little trouble,
that the tillers do mol spring from NE coronal,
bit The seminal roofs !; and that, in point Of
fact, the former, so far from being an es-
sential appendage to the plant, are entire
/ ly accidental in their formation. They
proceed from the first knot or Joint formed
in the stem, provided that knot is beneath
the surface but if, as is frequently the case,
It is aboUe the surface Of the soil, no coronal
roots are formed, and the plant is wholly
supported by the seminal roots, which in all
cases constitute the main source of nourish-
ment TO the plant. have now under ex-
animation the stubblc of number Of plants
of this years growth, some Of which have
from twenty-five to thirty stems. In all
these the tillers spring from the seminal
roots, without any exception. Some OF
them throw out coronal roots but others,
which have no knot below the surface, have
also no coronal roots. but are equally strong
in the stem and heavy in the ear.
have laid the more stress upon this cir
cumstance, because even lie Couteur has
fallen into the same error, and written upon
the presumption that the coronal roots are
an essential and invariabIe part Of the plant; I;
leaving his readers to infer, that without
them there would be no tillering. This also
has led to another error, namely. that after
certain time supposed to be the month Of
April the seminal roots cease TO impart
nourlshment to the plant, which then and
after derives its support from the cOronal
roots alone. Ii was IN an investigation Of
this assumption that discovered the errors
regarding the tillering question; and
therefore request those who have taken up
with the commonly view Of the
case, TO do as have done-examine for
themselyes-and they will have no difficulty
in discovering the true state Of tie case.
/ The best way will be 10 wash the roots first
from all the mold, and let them afterwards
i dry, when the examination can be made with
more ease and precision.
/ The establishment of this fact greatly
strengthens the arguments in favor Of deep
sowing, by which the chance Of the forma-
tion Of joint below the surface is rendered
+ more certain, which also insures the forma-
i tion Of coronal roots. These undoubtedly are
Of great utility in imparting more firm
hold upon the soil, as well as additional
nourishment to the plant, and consequently
lessons the danger OF the corn being lodged.
The fecundily Of the cereal plants. and
their reproduction by transplanting the or
sets or tillers, is truly wonderful. We read
Of from forty TO one hundred and twenty
ears being grown from one root or grain ;
aud there Is an account in work by Sir
kenelm Digby, written in 1860, Of plant
OF barley IN the possession Of "the Fathers
of the Christian Doctrine at Paris, who
Kept II for many years as curiosity. This
plant, which was the produce Of one grain,
had 249 ears, from which we're counted
$4,000 grains Of barley. In the Cambridge
i
were set at ono foot distance, il would insure
a ercpof ten quarters per acre, which under
the circumstances was not an apocryphal pro-
duce and as the average number Of stems was
iorty-two, less than foot would leave them
very much crowded. Thus, there arc in an
acre 45,56O feet, which, divided by 500,
gives 81; then multiply this by 5l pccks,
the produce Of the 500 plants, and We OBJ
tain j27 pecks, or about ten quarters per
acre. The soil on which this was raised
was light blackish one, with grayelly sub
soil; part was well manured, and part with
out any manure whatever; but there was no
Iperceptiblc difference in the strength Of the
straw or size Of the ear.--F1mtrs Mgga-iae
.-~-~->-~~~s~~~@~-
How RAILROADS INJrRR FARMERS. long
since farmer 81 o0r State sas bitterly com.
planning ol railroad 10 one who was connec.
ted with the management ol the road. Why"
said The iarmer, " was fool enough to take
stock to the amount 81 Eve hundred dollars,
and have lost every cent Of il. And besides,
the cursed thing runs through ms iarm."
"And has greatly Injured il, | suppose"
added The Other. smiling and looking the old
farmer foil 10 the face.
Injured III" repeated the farmer. "To
be sure il has. Why do you ask such foolish
question y
How much damages were you paid By
the corporation = asked the other.
I" In the ncighborhoDd Of six hundred dol
lars" the farmer replied. /" But II was not
half enough"
"Or course not added the railroad man,