Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-07


The Secretary Of "Our Social Club,
an association Of farmers, reports to the
Germantown Pa.) Telegraph the discus
sions Of the club on wheat and its cul-
ture lie says
The Secretary wss appointed 10 open the
subject who thought that a majority OF
our farmers were too careless in selecting
their seed wheat while many OF them took
particular care in selecting and keeping
their seed corn, they seem 10 forget that
the same rules would apply just IA well 10
wheat His plan WAS TO select his seed
wheat in the field before cutting he usually
picked out about an acre, and allowed il to
stand until fully ripe and then cut and
hauled il direct 10 the barn; he usually
went through il once before il was too ripe
for the purpose of removing any stalks OF
rye or cookie which might chance 10 grow.
His acre usually produced about twenty
five bushels. This he ran through the fan
twice 10 remove the chat, and then through
a third time, with the fan running at a
high rate of speed, in order TO blow out
the light grains. BY this practice he
usually reduced his twenty-five bushels.
each Of slNty-two pounds 60 twenty, each
weighing siNty-four pounds. This is enough
20 put IN from twenty to twelve acres, he
used for seed. The light wheat thrown over
WAS again thrown into the pile and taken
60 the mill and ground for home use. He
drilled in his seed At the rate ofoue hushel
and one peck per acre, and was Of the opin-
ION that a majority of our farmers used too
much seed. lie had found that one grain
Of wheat, in common field culture. would
produce four or Eve stalks IL room was az
iorded il 10 spread, hence his opinion a. 20
the amount of seed. In good garden soil
hc had produced twelve stalks 10 one grain.
and each stalk produced good sized head
Of grain. He always rolls his wheat field
I'm the spring, IA soon As the ground is dry
enough, in order 10 press back and cover
anv roots which may have been thrown
out by the frost. Thinks this operation OF
great benefit 90 the growth Of the clover
seed, which is sown just previous to roll-
ing.
Another member also brought his seed
wheat into the barn with the other. but
saved more thar one acre. la order 10 get
the seed he threshed the sheaves for
short time with a common hail this re-
moved only the ripest and heaviest grains.
by this plan he had no difficulty in obtain
ing seed which would weigh sixty-three
pounds per bushel from ihe bulk Of his
crop, which averaged but sixiy-one pounds
per busheL lie very seldom used SO much
seed ~ a bushel and peck. often one-half
peck less. Does not roll his wheat field
in the fall, as he thinks the ridges lefl
by the drill should moulder down on
the wheat by the action Of the
frost during the winter. Always cuts his
wheat some ten days before il is ripe. and
then with reaper which deposits in the |
bundles for sheaves. One |
gear he tried separating the lighter grains |
rom his seed by the use o. brine, but did /
DOT like il As well a. the present plan, which /
vas more economical. Had tried blowing |
vice for wheat, but did not think IL OF |
much benefit 20 the wheat, but was very
beneficial 10 the ensuing crops OF grass.
The next member who delivered in his
opinion Joined farms with the last one, and
Jilowed the same plan in selecting his
eed, bat used rather more 90 the acre, say
bushel and twelve quarts. Had tried
sversl homemade and bought msnures 10
clip out his manure pile, but found that
ommon ealt and lime gave him the great
Il benefit al the least expenditure Of capi-
Il. He mixed five bushels of coarse salt
ith ten Of air-slacked lime three months
sfore il was needed, and during this time
lmed il three times sowed il broadcast
Store the last narrowing, al the rate OF ]