Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-09-10
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 val
ue of the crop will depend greatly on the
character and condition of the seed, the
Importance of this great staple, and the dis
tress 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 we'll in soil and climate
similar to your own. Intelligent neighbors,
who have raised good wheat, can heln much
e
experiments on large scale, unless one is
prepared to risk a considerable loss.
I'd. Accept only that seed which is per-
fectly ripe and plump. Let no man i'm pose
on you by saying that smaller kernels will
produce a greater number of plants from a
bushel Of seed. What is wanted is a strong
vigorous growth Of wheat plants This you
cannot effect from half-grown or shriyeled
seed.
Sd. Never sow any but the cleanest seed.
You can tell by examining it, what it's con-
dition is. If the seed is good in other re-
Ispects but is foul, clean it yourself. But
be sure to have it clean at all events.
4tA. Reject seed that has been kept
damp, or has been heated Seed that suf-
fered either Or both Of these injuries NAV
germlnate, but it has lost part of it's vitali-
ty, and should never be used for seed if
better can possibly be secured. 49,,
9th. Do not SOW mixed 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 growing, and
be able to compare results, with an ap-
proach towards accuracy. .-.- -.
9th. Ii possible, never SOW seed which is
more than one year, or at most, two years
old. Old seed may grow WE'LL 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 iniuri-
Gus agencies. Experience has taught that
some of these are likely to injure the ker-
mel, if it is kept after the first year.
One way to get seed is to select the clean
est 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. Pursue this
course for number Of years, and you will
produce what will seem to be a 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 department Of farming and
gardening
A good mode Of preventing smut is the
following: Spread seed wheat on the barn
floor. Upon 4 bushels Of wheat dash from
II to 10 quarts Of human urine Stir the
whole together. Then add about six quarts
of fresh Stacked lime, and shovel the wheat
over till the lime is evenly difused in the
wheat. 1t should be sown as soon after this
as practicable for long delay would injure
its vegetable powers. This mode of treat
ing seed wheat is deemed, in England, d.
specific against smut. It has been practic-
ed in a America 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 sua-s
gestions, will greatly increase the chances
in favor of his having fine crop next wear.
american Agricu7tnrist