Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-08-20


SEED WHEAr.-Before the 10th of Septcm-
Der, most o. the wheat that will yield good
crop next year will be in the ground, and the
value of the crop will depend greatly on the
character and condition Of the seed. The i'm
portance of this great staple, and the distress
resulting from diminished supply Of it, enti-
tie all the aids In its production to a careful
study.
SELECT GOOD SEED.
LIST. Choose kind which has succeeded
we'll in soil and climate similar to your own.
Intelligent neighbors, who have raised good
wheat, can help much in this matter. 1t is not
well to try new experiments on q large scale,
unless one is prepared to risk considerable
loss.
81. Accept only that seed which Is per-
fectly ripe and plump. Let no man impose on
You by saying that smaller kernels will produce
a greater number Of plants from bushel OF
seed. What is wanted is a strong vigorous
growth of wheat plants. This you cannot eff
feet from half grown or shriveled seed.
3D.. Never sow any but the cleanest seed.
You can tell by examining il what its condi-
ton is. If the seed is good in other respects,
but is foul, clean it yourself. But be sure to
have 1t clean at all events.
4th. Reject seed that has been kept damp,
or has been heated. Seed that suffered either
or both of these injuries may germinate, but it
has lost u part of its vitality, and should be
used for seed If better can possibly be secured.
| 9th. DO not SOW mixed seed on the same
ground. Let the seed Of ono sowing in the
same field lie Of one kind alone. You will
thus know what kind you are growing, and be
able TO compare results, withan approach tow
ards accuracy.
9th. IL. possible, never sow seed which is
more than one year, or at most, two years old
| Old seed may grew we'll. But IL may not
Prudence will suggest that seed should be used
before it has been exposed to decay, to insects
| to dampness; or to other injurious agencies
Experience has taught that some OF these are
likely to injure the kernel if it is kept after the
first year.
One way TO got good seed is to select the
cleancst and best spot in your wheat field
where tho grain grows most perfectly and /:
most mature. Then harvest and thresh these
portions separately, with the greatest care, and
save the seed for sowing. Pursue this course
for number of years, and you will produce
what will seem to be new variety of wheat
But it will only be the same, developed and
perfected in higher degree. This operation
for securing good seed will pay in every de-
partment Of farming and gardening.
A good mode Of preventing smut is the fol-
lowing. Spread seed wheat on the barn floor.
Upon four bushels Of wheat dash from II TO III
quarts OF human prime. Stir the whole well
together. Then add about six quarts of fresh
Stacked lime, and shovel the wheat over till
the lime is evenly ditfused in the wheat. II
should he sown as soon after this preparation
as practicable; for u long delay would iniure its
vegetitive powers. This mode Of treating seed
wheat is deemed, in England, a specific agains
smut. 1t has been practised in America also
by some wheat growers, who say it has beer
uniformly successful. Tar water will answer
instead of urine, and is preferred by many.
, The farmer who will select and prepare hi
seed wheat according to the above suggestions
will greatly increase the chances in favor o
his having fine crop next year.--.America
Agricultarid.