Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-05-23
Written for tho Fremont Journal.

OoLOMBVs, W, Dlay 10, loOS
FRIEND KEELER;-Your note of the 7th inst,
enclosing an extract from Mr.. Dement'S lecture
on Vegetable Physiology, came to hand during
my visit to Cleveland, and has therefore not re-
ceived my earlier attention. am highly grati-
fed TO know that subjects of this character are
receiving the attention of thinking men, and
that the press of the country is becoming inter-
ested in the discussion of Scientific and Agri-
cultural subjects. If we had more discussion
upon such subjects, and less upon partisan poll
tics, l feel assured that our country would make
much more rapid progress in the development of
her industrial resources, and it would not be a
very long time until our gross agricultural pro-
ducts would amount to $500, 100000 per annum,
as that of England does.
AS general rule have avoided controver-
sizes in newspapers Firstly, because Of the un-
unpleasantries likely to ensue Secondly, because
of desire on the part of each controversialist to
be victor, whether right or wrong; and, 7HircRy,
because have not the command of sufficient
leisure to give that amount of thought and inves-
tigation TO an opponents statements, which can
dor and truth always demand
With respect to Mr.. Dement'S statements, per-
init me to say, that fully agree with him in his
statement that the greater portion of the wheat
sown is absolutely lost, but in my views of the
matter the causes to which he attributes the
loss are entirely untenable, as will endeavor to
show.
First. All cultivated plants are subjected TO
artificial conditions, TO which wild or natural
plants are not subjected The seed from plants
in a natural or wild state fall upon the ground
at maturity and are covered by leaves or the de-
caying stalks of the old pIant;-in state ofcul-
tivation the soil is plowed, or mellowed and
aerated, and the seed placed under the ground.
Now the soil which covers the seed is an infin-
itely better protector against the inclemency of
the weather, than the sparse debris from the de-
caying parent stalk. If Mr. Dement'S PROPOSE
tion is correct nature provides for the protec-
ton of all the seed she produces, or in other
words the straw of three wheat stalks, must af-
ford protection to one hundred and thirty-two
grains of wheat which would fall to the ground;
Il think even Mr.. Bement would consider this
very poor protection against winter killing pro-
vided, winter killing were due to this cause
But as winter killing is due to an entirely diff
ferent cause, the argument of the protection Of
the old plants goes for nothing.
Secondly. Wheat is an artificial plant, in the
same sense that potatoes, cabbages, apples, and
some others are artificial, that is they have been
produced by the interference of man. Wheat in
its natural or original state is a small rough
grass seldom growing over eighteen inches high
and producing not over 10 or 10 seeds, whilst
it has an abundance of radicle leaves. Being
an artificial plant its existence and perpetuation
is due 10 continuance of the same processes
which produced it, and not to the general rule or
law OF plants in wild state. At the same time
am willing to state that a farmer had much
better sell money, than to sell straw from the
farm-the straw should go back into the ground
and not on it.
From the period of the maturity of the seed,
it is an independent organization; when the pa
rent has matured it, it has performed its e,.tire
mission or duty and the seed requires no fur
ther protection, or inheritance, or care from the
parent. 1t may be removed thousands of miles
away from the parent and if the requisite condi-
tions OF soil, warmth and moisture are supplied,
will go on increasing and perpetuating its spe-
cies as well as under the Immediate shadow of
the debris of the parent If this were not so,
we could not have introduced wheat, sorgho,
timothy, beans, peas, and other plants All
cultivated plants require unceasing, fostering
care of man-if neglected, they in very short
time, either degenerate or become extinct
Many years of observation by different per-
sons indicate that when piece Of ground is full
of seeds of different kinds, no more of them will
germinate than can grow and attain a perfect
maturity. If these be removed another crop
will spring up, and so on through summer and
autumn, and next season, and SO on for two or
three years, although none of the plants have
been allowed to seed This can be explained
only by suppoSiHg that the seeds first germinat-
ing deprived the others for time of their ger
minating power From this supposition, some
European writers have deduced the following
agricultural principles;
/. If the field is not fully covered with the
plants sown, weeds viii spring up and occupy
the intermediate spaces.
2. Every species of plants requires a certain
amount OF loom to insure its full Development
therefore certain or specific amount of seed is
required, which will vary with the species, on a
given quantity of land in order that the ground
may be well covered, so as to prevent the weeds
from springing up.
For the purpose of determining the proper
quantity of seed to be sown. experiments have
been made by an English agriculturalist upon
thirty acres of ground. Oats and barley were
sown in the quantities per acre as stated in the
following table; append the results of each
acres products:
Tract Amt sown Oats harvested. Barlev harvested