The Kanzas news., 1857-08-22

Before the 1Otn Ol september, ulcSt VI
the wheat that win yield good crop next
year viii be in the ground. and the value of
the crop wHl depend greatly on the charac-
ter and condition of the seed. The impor-
lance of this great staple, and the distress
resulting from diminished supply of it,
entitle all the aids In its production to a
careful study.
SELECT GOOD SEED.
1st. Choose a kind which has succeeded
well In soil and climate similar to yo,er os01,.
Intelligent neighbors, who have raised good
wheat, can help much in this matter. 1t is
not well to try new experiments on large
scale, unless one is prepared to risk a con-
siderable loss.
Cd. Accept only that seed which is per-
fectly ripe and plump. Let no man impose
on you by saying that smaller kernels will
produce greater number of plants from a
bushel of seed. What is wanted is strong
vigorous growth of wheat plants. This you
cannot effect from half-grown or shriveled
seed.
3d. Never sow any but the clednest seed.
You can tell by examining it what its con-
dition is. If the seed is good in other re-
spects, but is foul, clean it yourself. But
be sure to have it clean at all events.
4th Reject seed that has been kept damp,
or has been heated Seed that has suffered Ell
ther or both these injuries may germinate,
bit it has lost part of its vitality, and
should never be used for seed If better can
possibly be secured.
9Th. Do not sow Dsized seed on the same
ground. Let the seed of one sowing in the
1 G Il L T.. Il
thus know what kind you are growing, and
be able to compare results, with an approach
towards accuracy.
9Th. If possible, never sow seed which
is more than one year, or at most, tsCo years
old. Old seed mag grow well. But it may
not. Prudence will suggest that seed should
be used before it has been exposed to de-
cay, to insects, to dampness, or to other in
furious agencies. Experience has taught
that some of these are likely to injure the
kernel, if it is kept after the first year.
One aOay to get good seed is to select the
cleanest and best spot in your wheat field,
where the grain grows most perfectly and
is most mature. Then harvest and thresh
these portions separately, with the greatest
care, and save the seed for sowing. Pur-
sue this course for number of years, and
you will produce what will seem to be new
variety of wheat. But it viii only be the
same, developed and perfected in higher
degree. This operation for procuring good
seed will pay in every department of farm
ing and gardening.
a good mode Of preventing smaut is the
following: Spread seed wheat on the barn
floor. Upon four bushels of wheat dash
from 19 to Is quarts of human uriue. Stir
the whole well together. Then add about
six quarts of fresh Stacked lime, and show
ell the wheat over till the lime is evenly diff
fused in the wheat. 1t should be sown as
soon after this preparation as practicable;
for long delay would injure its vegetative
powers. This mode of treating seed wheat
is deemed, in England, specific against
smut. It has been practised in America
also by some wheat growers, who say it has
been uniformly successful. Tar water will
answer instead of urine, and is preferred
by many.
The farmer who will select and prepare
his seed wheat according to the above sug-
gestions, will greatly increase the chances
in favor of his having a fine crop next year.