The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-09-30
From the Country Gentleman.
DETERIORATION OF THE WHEAT CROP
ONE CAUSE.


ONE CAUSE.
| Your columns have been occupied occa-
sionally for several years, with direct state
Iments of the fact that seed wheat is materi-
ally injured when threshed by machine. or
with indirect and incidental illusions to this
fact, in articles treating Of matters connected
with it. The injury thus done to seed wheat
has been frequently set forth as reason why
the quantity of seed formerly sown and
deemed sufficient for an acre should now be
increased considerably, as so large propor-
ton of the kernels arc usually broken or 9TH
erwse injured, as to make it impossible that
they should germinate. The injury thus
done has also been presented as probable
cause Of the young plants being feebler and
slower Of growth, and consequently mofe
liable to attacks Of insects, weeyils, &C.,
than il the produce Of sounder and plumper
seed.
Deeming the considerations above named, !,
and the changes in ripening and threshing
wheat intended for seed, which would natu-
rally follow from practicing according to
these considerations, of no little Importance,
have been gratitied to see the question in
my caption discussed with ability and ear
nestness by writer in one Of the best, and one
Of the neatest appearing journals Of the west,
namely, the Wisconsin Farmer. This writer,
who says he is neither farmer nor a man
OF science, lends the sanction Of his autho-
rity-that Of a man of good judgment-to
the views which have been named, as often
presented and inculcatcd in your pages.
He says that in Wisconsin the question is
often asked, Why cannot our State raise
as good wheat as she used to do before about
ls50i" Inreply to this question, this writer,
who uses the signature Of ]. {. L., Juneau,
Wis, states that when the country was FIRST
settled the inhabitants threshed entirely with
the fail, and were accustomed also to save
the ripest and best Of the grain for seed.
. To secure the ripest and best they were in
: the habit, many OF them, Of throwing down
the bundles and beating the tops until that
portion that was completely matured, and
most easily, therefore, freed from the hull
had been threshed out. The bundles were
: then thrown back upon the NOV and reserved
: for the mill"
By this course the very best Of the eroI
!, was saved for seed, and secured whole anC
! uninjured; whereas it is generally allowed
I that ihe machines now used break the larges
!. and best kernels, and injure great man.
a so as to put them beyond all possibility o
b terminating.
;. have been informed by those who hay,
! been at the pains to investigate this subject
!, and TO examine wheat after threshing, tha
!. they have noticed many kernels in whicI
II the little germ towards one end seemed {
be beat in or scooped out, and at all event
injured 50 as to appear quite unlike its con
dition in sound kernel.
These suggestions will receive. trus'
,s The consideration TO which they seem to b
Il well entitled, By some al least among you
= = readers, and by the farmers Of New ior
ie and other States. as well as Of Wisconsin
q. II any Of your readers have reserved a pate
I. Of wheat lor seed, and thrcshed il by fall
70 Of late years, or threshed out some Of th
= = ripest in the way above mentioned, We woul
= be pleased to be informed Of the result
observed in subsequent crop.
" OBSERVER.