Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-04-12
AGRICULTURAL.

cupied prominent place in the list Of
cultivated farm crops. 1t may well be
considered the material from which is
manufactured the staff of lfe,' for the
means of sustaining life, and ministering
TO our temporal wants-and may we not
say happiness--would be very incom-
plete, were we henceforth denied this
important article of food, which has be-
come to us matter of fact'--a fxd ne
cessity?
Considering this to be the case, we
think every farmer should, so far as his
circumstances will permit, raise his own
bread We like the idea of being indie
pendent, of having resources within our
selves, even if it costs little more, home
raised bread tastes little better than
that manufactured from imported -four
besides, supposing the Western States
should follow the example of those at the
South and secede, where then would the
wheat come from? Better look out for
an emergency and stimulate home indus
try, yet at present, we do not see any
particular danger;or such ar. event.
Some lands are not suited to the pro-
duciion of wheat, such as intervals and
lands lying in the vicinity of streams, be-
ing more liable to the attacks of the wee
vii, blight, &C.; rich vegetable SOIL also,
should not be devoted 10 this grain, as
from The want Of mineral substances, the
rapid and rank growth Of straw will usu-
ally lodge to such an extent as to prevent
its filling, and often ruSting or rotting on
the ground. Perhaps if lime or ashes
were sown on soils of this description, the
deficiency alluded to would be supplied
in a measure at least. A strong clayey
loan, gravelly and sandy lands, in good
condition, are preferable for wheat, and
if the location is somewhat elevated and
accessible to the winds, there is not much
danger to be apprehended from the raw
ages of the weevil, and the period of
sowing need not be fastened nor delayed
to escape this pest.
The grain may be sown either on green
sward or old ground, but we prefer land
devoted to corn or potatoes the past year,
as the soil is generally in good condition
for the crop.
Plough deep" says an old farmer
"turn up the wheat soil, the yeLio,e dirt,
that's the kind"
The same farmer says once took
field that was considered nearly run out
so far as raising wheat was concerned,
and by blowing little deeper than had
been practiced, received good crop.
Plow uniformly and well, toe say, at
whatever depth you find the most profit
able TO your land and yourself, always
with the view to impoverish neither the
one nor the other. The ground should
be narrowed lightly before sowing, there
by securing more uniform termination
of the seed. To escape the weeyil it is
necessary TO sow either quite early or
late, but where it is practicable the early
season is undoubtedly the best. A thor
ough pulverizatisn of the soil is essen
Aial, and the bush or roller in the finish
ing process fits the land, if seeded to
grass, admirably for the scythe or now
.er.
Concerning tho selection of seed, no
definite rule can be given; experiment is
the most reliable test by which to deter |
mine the merits of the different varieties.
Soil and situation have considerable in
huence, therefore kind that will do well
in one neighborhood will fail in another.
Fer early sowing select the kinds that
Tipen the quickest, as there is considera- S
Ole variation in this respect--tor instance, {
the St. Lawrence, Siberian, and Black {
Sea ripen week or ten days earlier than q
the Scotch Fife, which is a good variety /
for late sowing, and from the hardy ma i
ture of the straw is especially adapted to s
rich soils where some other kinds would v
fail. Seed wheat should be often chang
ed--even if Of the same variety il will
be found 10 pay well for the trouble >
Lime, ashes, and plaster are a good top
dressing for this crop. No weeds should
be allowed to go to seed in field of
wheat; root them out, it will save much
future trouble.
The grain should be harvested when I
The straw begins to turn yellow below the
head and no juice is expressed, to remain a
standing longer is of no beneit.-Fdr- d
'aer, IA 81. Ai6ans Messenger. p.
Ia
VALUABLE RECIPES. in
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