Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-03-21
For the Sentinel.
WHEAT GROWING.

Mr.. EDITOR As whatever contributes
to the success of Agriculture benefits the
whole population, wish to say few
things to my fellow farmers Of this great
and growing interest. And, leaving the
numerous other branches entirely unnoticed
| propose combining my remarks solely to
the culture Of wheat.
That this grain is more readily converted
INTO cash, than either of the other kinds Of
grain produced in our State. and is at the
same time, more remunerative is a fact. AZ
which there is no room, for doubt. It fol-
lows as a necessary consequence, that if
wheat growing cannot be made proftat le,
grain raising Of no kind as seperate branch
of industry can. But whether any thing,
can be made by raising wheat, and if any
thing, soaat, are questions Of vital import
ance to the farmer.
Some have affirmed, that nothing can
be made At flaming in this country" while
others are Of the opinion that - man can
do pretty we'll at it."
But, if the production Of wheat is to be
made profitable to the farmer, how is he to
proceed to make it SO? In reply to .inis
last question, l might say. lc, everything
be done at the proper time, and in the best
manner. But to be more specific, would
say, the ground must be put in the best or
der possible to promote the growth and ma
turity Of the Kind Of wheat that is to be
sown. For instance, if he intends sowing
the Black sea variety, and has very deep
fertile soil, the blowing should be shallow /;
otherwise it will grow so tall that it will be
very liable to lodge" rs this kind Of
wheat has slender straw and grows very
tall But if he intends raising grain Of q
shorter growth. and sitter straw, let him
plough deep. and pulverizc the soil as thor.
oushly as possible.
If his soil is Of heavy clayey character,
lett be plowcd deep, and we'll pulverized,
no matter what kind Of wheat is to bc sown
upon it. :.
In ono wore, every farmer should thorough
" understand the character of the soil he
tills, and govern himself accordingly in its
preparation to receive the seed no intends
sowing.
The ground being in proper order, and
the seed being Of the very best quality,
(nothing else should be sown,) it should be
put into the ground from one to two inches
deep. 1nligh: Sandy soil, it should be buried
deeper than in that which is more COMPACT
This being done put on the Roller; this will
|pay from two to five times the expense o
rolling it. In one instance in my obserya.
ton, year, before last, it increased the c1or
more tan seventy-fi five per cent.
1t would be we'll to have several kinds
sown, the ripening of which at differen,
times, would secure to him more time 70,
harvesting.
Let him be certain to harvest il at the
fright time. A very short delay At this time
will determine whether or not he makes
Anything at farming.
That wheat should be harvested earle,
than it is generally done, am very conf.
dent; for like I'll other operations in the
vegetable economy, the ripening Of the grain
consists entirely Of various chemical pro
cesses, the results Of which should be care
fully considered by the farmer. ......s,.,
When the ear, (head) first fills, it is com
posed, almost entirely Of milky looking
substance. in week or ten days, the grain
IS much more solid, and the straw has begun
to wither, which it always does from the
ground, towards the head In another
week or ten days, the crop will be perfectly
(ripe; that is the chat. will be 50 Loose that
the grain can be nubbed out with the hands
and the straw entirely yellow. The most
perceptible difference that has taken placs
since the last period is, the bran or skin has
become much thicker and harder while the
-four has dimiatatsd IN quantity. This last
fact should not be overlooked BY any pro-
ducer! Il is affirmed BY those Who have OK
|perimentcd on the subject, that mere than
Is per cent, is lost to the producer by
allowing the wheat to become thoroughly
ripe before it is cut, and that, It the same
time the quality is not 30 good (Ses Pat.
OF. Reports, 1866, page 246.)