Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-09-03
agricultural, sc.
SEED WHEAT.

Before the 18th of September, most of
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
Importance of this great staple, and the
distress resulting from diminished supply
of it, entitle all the aids in its production
to careful study.
Select Good Seed.-1st Choose kind
which has succeeded we'll in soil and eli
mate similar to your o,cn Intelligent
neighbors, who have raised good wheat,
can help much in this matter 1t is not
we'll to try experiments ON a large scale,
unless one is prepared to risk censidera-
bic loss
I'd. Accept only that seed which is per-
feetly ripe and plump. Let no man i'm
pose ON you by saying that smaller kernels
will produce greater number of plants
from bushel of seed What is wanted is
a strong vigorous growth of wheat plants
This you cannot effect from half-grown or
shriveled seed.
Sd. Never SOW any but the cleonest 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 suf-
fered either or both of these injuries may
germinate, but it has lost part of its vi
tality, and should never be used for seed
if better can possibly be secured.
9TH. Do not SOW naircd seed on the same
ground. Let the seed of one sowing in
the same field be of one kind alone You
will thus know what kind you are sowing,
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 two years
old. Old seed may grow well. But it
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 in
jure the kernel, if it is kept after the first
year.
One aeay to get good seed is to select the
cleanest and best spot in your wheat field,
WHCiC tHG gram SIONo IIost pcIieClly allu
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 wears, and
you viii 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 secur-
ing good seed will pay in every department
of farming and gardening.
A good mode Of oreceating smut is the
following: Spread seed wheat ON the barn
floor. Upon four bushels Of wheat dash
from II to Is quarts of human urine
Stir the whole well together Then add
about six quarts of fresh Stacked lime, and
shovel the wheat over till the lime is even
ly difused in the wheat 1t should be
sown as soon after this preparation as prac-
ticable; a long delay would injure its veg
etative powers. This mode of treating
seed wheat is deemed in England specific
against the smut. 1t has been praetised 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, viii greatly increase the chances
in favor of his having fine crop next year.
--American Ag,1caltuaist.