The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-08-20
AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.
rrom the valley Farmer for August

~ A FEw HINTS ON WHEAT CULTURE
Farmers are beginning to think about pre-
pairing their ground for wheat A few
words on the subject may not be inappro-
plate. When the ground is properly pre-
pared, and the seed properly sown-the
wheat crop, on farms distant from maket
is one of the most profitable. There is but
little wheat put in as it ought to be. In
too many cases, the ground is plowed but
once, and then but three or four inches In
depth. Can heavy crop be expected from
such preparation ? The soil ehould be
plowed to the depth of, at least, 1 9 inches,
and 1t should be plowed two or three times
2 before the seed is sown. Some practice
sub-soiling, and say that it pays them
Pbundanly. By this depth of blowing,
not only is there more plant food furnished
not only can the roots run down deeper
iuto the soil, and thus be able to better
Withstand the upheaVing of the earth By the
winter frosts-not only can they better en-
dure the severe drouth of the succeeding
spring (such as we have just passed
through:) but what is more important than
all, the great depth of soil furnishes an ex-
cellent drainage for the winter rain, allow
Jog the water to work down into tie soil,
and to gradually work off, thus preventing
winter killing by the plants being heayed
out by the constant thawing and freezing,
and the upheaya OF the SOIL where it is
moist, exposing the roots of the plants to the
drying winds and cutting frosts. Not a
winter passes but in some section or other,
or IN all sections, we hear that the wheat Is
"winter-klled." And so it is, when put
in so shallow; but, when put in properly,
mr. Vl1ir h.
In selecting ground for wheat, choose
that which is rolling and naturally well
drained. In the Northern climate, where
snow falls and lays upon the ground all
winter, this is not so important But here,
where We have rain instead of snow, where
it thaws one day and freezes the next, or
does beth on the same day-it is a matter
of the first importance. 1t is also well to
-plow the ground in what are termed back
burrows. leaving open or water fUrrows to
carry off the surplus water.
We urge the value Of the drill in putting
in the seed. 1t can certainly be done more
evenly, and the plants will be less liable to
be heaved cut. The yield will also prove
greater.
Seed is a matter Of the first importance.
None but the plumpest and best should ev
er be used. II should be famed and re-
famed, and all the foul seed and light kerr
nels blown from it, Then it should be
washed in lime water, or other pickle, re-
moving everything from the kernel that
may affect tie health of the plant.
The little extra labor used in cleansing
and purifying the seed, will reward one a
hundred fold. Then cheat or chess, oats,
smut, &c, will be strangers to the coming
crop. the succeeding spring, and the field
will be pleasant sight to behold.
Conn STALK FoDDER-The drouth Of
the present season has been unexampled
in severity, and in the extent Of country
over which it has prevailed. The hay crop
is very light, and the price will rule very
high. 1t behooves the farmer, therefore,
to save all the available stock food he con
,yeniently can. There is no farmer who
has not a crop Of corn coming on. If the
stalks are. cut soon after the kernels become
glazed, and are put into snug shocks, and
are then properly bound together, a most
excellent winter fodder is provided for all
kinds of stock. The cost is only a trflle
that of cutting and shocking-but the
corn is saved in a nice condition, and the
labor is well bestowed--if for no other
purpose than in saving the corn and pre-
venting it from the injurious effects of the
weather and from the waste which follows
if left as it usually is in the field on tie
stalks where it grew.
Cut the stalks early. The corn will yield
as much, and we believe more, provided it
has become glazed. The stalks and blades
will be sweet and nutritious, and stock will
eat the M in preference to hay. We hope
ourreaders will heed our advice. and lay IN
good supply for winter.
Sow RyE.-Farmers would find it great
" 10 their interest to sow more rye. For
winter and early spring pastuTage, it is
very valuable. All kinds of stock like to
get green uibble whenever it can be OBJ
tanned in winteI-aud in spring it will fur
nish good pasturage before 1t can be OBJ
tanned elsewhere
1t is not only as food for stock that we
urge its cultivation, but it is of great value
to the soil as preparation for some other
crop. 1t is almost equal to coat of ma
nure if the green crop is Plowed in, in the
spring, The soil is full of the roots of the
plant, and there is also the coat which GOV.
ers the surface-and If these are turned in,
they ferment and decay, and consequently
enrich the land. The coating will also
prevent to considerable extent, the wash
ing of the land by the severe rains of win
ter. The crop, If not plowed in, is pay
ing one. -If our readers will put in a few
acres of rye. they will not fail to sow il
every fall hereafter. 1t should be sown a.
the same time and in like manner as tal
sown wheat. Il is not necessary to bestow
the same preparation of the soil as FOL
wheat, unless ore feels disposed to do SO.
SrRAwBERRtEs.-If you wish FOR straw