Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-04-16

4 It's " natural condition. but large majority
OF good farmers concur in the opinion that
washing the seed in strong brine viii prevent
smut and otherwise improve the crop Unless
the seed has been saved with unusual care me
opportunity afforded Of skimming on the hsht
wheat and foul seeds Will more than pay ior the
trouble and expense, if there j. no danger IRON,
smut. Some farmers add blue or green Ni'rlol
the proportion Of about one pound TO ousheI
Of salt We cannot recommend the Due
from experience, but We have known the green
used and We believe the result to nave been
bene6,ial. The wheat when drained is rolled in
plaster or lime until the kernels do not adhere
one TO another.
An eminent farmer in Maryland recommends
that the seed be soaked several hours in q weak
solution Of ruano or some other fertilizer and
then rolled in lime. The reason be gives is that
q vigorous start frequently carries the crop be
yond the reach Of insects, and helps It TO get
strorg healthy root before the summer heats
come tc affect It. The danger in this case Is in
the tendency Of the stimulant to burn out the
life Of the minute and sensitive germ. 1t might
be well for farmers 10 experiment, in a small
way, on this subject. We have no doubt very
great benefits might result if there was some
means Of determining just how strong solu-
ton the seed viii bear.
In the selection Of seed there are two things
to be taken into consideration: the best variety
for the soil and climate. and, what Is generally
Of more consequence, vet not often considered,
the quality. Wheat grown upon dry, rich land
natures earlier than that on land not SO well
adapted To the growth Of wheat that grown
on land having good proportion Of clay in
It's composition is winter and finer than that
grown upon sandy CT mucky land. Farmers
IL 81. u
ton of the field having the most vigorous 1
growth Of heads and leave it standing several /
DAYS after the general harvest, that it may be- 4
come little more thoroughly ripenei It should |
then be harvested, stored, and threshed by IL
selfthat there be no admiXture Of inferior yarie-
ties After threshing it should be run through
a tanning mill having screens for separating the
small from the large kernels, and only the
large plump kernels sown. We frequently hear
il said that shrunken wheat is Just as good as
plump for seed, but nobody who has ever con-
luctel an experiment with sufficient nicely 70
come to any positive knowledge Of the matter,
believes that doctrine. 1t Is opposed TO reason,
.ualogy and evidence. Mr. F. +. Hallett, who
las experimental extensively upon wheat, says
hat there is one seed in every head that is
much more productive than any other. and that
{ is possible to very largely increase the pro
uctiye capacity Of wheat simply by selecting
eed from year TO year upon that basis and
reeiing up. h. however, found that the Sc
acuon Of acc ientally large heads to start with
ID not have the desired effect, as they were
ydenty accidental rather than well bred pro-
uctious. Tie thinks there is very striking
nalogy between grain and animals and that
lore is just as much necessity for prearyinE
eiigree o.. one as the other that just as
l.f F..