Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-07-06

This is one OF the most important OF the
5 farmers operations, and we take this time to
- talk oon the subject. In harvesting grain,
much depends upon cutting it at a proper
time. We contend that all grain should be
cut at that particular point Of time when the
natural juices have arrived At such maturity
rtiqt faQwhole nutritiye qualities Of the plant
Sasiislf Be absorbed in the production of grain.
Fallowed to stand beyond this, loss necessa-
rily ensues; before the crop can be gathered
it becomes too ripe, and sheds considerably,
in defiance Of the minutest care. Considera-
BE Judgment on she part Of the farmer him
IN IS NECESSARY and no rules can be laid
down as certain guide for him. A cores
pendent fap exchange, describing his prac-
sice q harvesting wheat, says he commences
cutting wilhelm green state, as soon as the
kernel is fairly cut Of the milk, taking the
precautiorshot 70 bind in large sheaves, that
there may be no danger Of moulding within
,1ileghiuls Thisbehg done, he says, set
the sheases ny in punches or shocks, dozen
in each IN thsGaoving manner: 1 usually
take sheaf under each arm, with the heads
infssnf; saAA wien LreacRed the spot for To-
eating the shock, bring the tops together,
setting the butts on the ground, at least two
fet dpaft taking the precaution to set them
firmly, snd' 10 press the heads Of the sheaves
Giro sGnnfo& compass - possible. making
them resemble, as near as possible, the letter
Il sAlth ada " each side tin the shock is
And. now, for our own part, we know that
wheAts decidedly better from being cut early.
There is considerable contrariety of opinion
amongst farmers respecting the marks of
~ripsness - w6esk, ofstis degree Of it that is
necessary to make it perfect sample. Some
say that cutting quick Is the surest way Of
having the grain perfect, while others assert
> the ! ehppA be- dead.ripe before il Is cut
down, Perhaps truth is to be found between
tie twosxtreaness As long as the circulation
continues through the ear, the grain is re-
cciving something from the earth, and ought
not to be cut down. Observation points out
the marks Of maturity necessary for wheat,
1 aldindesd brewery other kind of grain. -
The first mark Of the circulation being at a
stand, consists ina shrinking and whitening
ID Of thsstraw immediately below the ear, which
gradually proceeds downwards, till it reaches
the bottom, when it is said to be dead-sip
In that state the straw becomes brittle, the
heads are easily broken off, and the grain
shake out in the handling. To.this stage, in
o ouropinion, it ought never to be allowed to
= come as-the loss. Of grain is not only great
under the most favorable circumstances, but
n TIE quality Is materially impaired by such a
: Isng and unnecessary exposure to the action
Of light and heat, 1t appears to us that the
time e which wheat and indeed all other
grain. should be cut, is when the straw be.
D. gins to shrink, and becomes white half an
y inch below the head. The circulation is then
cut off, and all further benefit is at an end.
The grain has taken everything necessary to
perfect it from the soil, and as far as the value
of the straw, whether for fodder or other pur.
poses, is concerned, an advantage is gained
=, By cutting while the circulation is going on,
and BY Tat means, preserving part Of the
natural juices; the value of the straw, like
that Of hay, depending upon the proportion
Of tie natural juices it contains, and the pains
-, that have been taken to preserve them. In
proportion to the heat Of the weather, the
greater expedition is necessary in harvesting
for, when scorched by the sun, and full in
grain, wheat soon takes stain, is damaged
NY vet, and easily sheds at every blast Of
wind