Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-02

. very small and yet it is well de
monstrated by some of the bes
farmers that good white wheat csl
still be grown in Western New
York. Mr.. F. P. Root, in a pape
read before the Farmers Club il
Rochester, and published in tn,
American Farmer, said
80 My own experience for fv,
years past has proved to me tina
the earlier varieties of white whea-
are just as safe against the midg,
as any variety of red wheat, anc
will generally produce more bushel.
per acre. The wheat nudge, like
other insects and diseases that otter
lay waste the fair hopes of men,
are most destructive on the en-
fsebled plant, or that which natures
out of season. Early ripening
crops, grown on a boun.iful soil,
where all the elements of plant food
are abundant, will seldom meet the
destroyer that is sure to overtake
the sickly and enfeebled."
| Now, here is the point: With
rich land and thorough preparation.
a quality of wheat may be grown
that will bring so to rs cents more
per bushel, and an increased yield
can be had besides. Still it NAV
not be best for farmers generally to
SOW white wheat; first make the
land produce heavy crops ofthe
best red and amber wheats, and
then experiment with white wheat.
But in the meantime remember that
the best quality of whatever kind
may be grown, is very generally
found where the best preparation
for the crop is made on suitable
land. . ....
Although every farmer knows
that poor small wheat is much more
likely to be injured by the winter
and spring, still it may not be amisE
to notice the frequent reports OF,
damage to such wheat. Scores of
accounts are, in substance, as fol-
lows: Where wheat WAS sown
early, and well put in, it looks well,
but poor, late sown wheat is injured
badly damaged, used up, ETC.; while
it is often said that wheat sown
early on good summer fallow looks
well, but the rest is more or less
damaged.
Another reason for good fallow
is the better seeding, and larger
crop of grass, that may thus be
secured. Good grass is sometimes
grown without thorough prepare
ton, but it is rather a chance crop,
and seldom as sure as when on
good well prepared land. Good
farmers give rather hard, diff
cult field to manage, good summer
fallow, in order to prepare it for a
good meadow. Heavy crops of
grass usually follow, and often heavy
crops of wheat.
While making a fallow, there is a.
good opportunity to dig out or bury
all fast stone, to level off uneven
places, ditch out and subdue those
that are low, and bring the whole
field into good cultivation.
There is now and then a
good farmer that thus re-
moves every stone that obstruets
the plow, and makes an underdrain
in every low place, where open
burrows would otherwise be needed
to carry off the water. This saves
tools. puts the land in better condi-
ton to work, and makes q much
better preparation for a meadow
save riding the mower and reaper
across open FUR ows.
The direct Improvement Of the
soil, the amelioration and increased
fertility (that is almost equal to a
manuring) that is secured by q
good summer fallow, are seldom
sufficiently considered and appre-
ciated; yet good farmers have often
observed the gradual change OF the
appearance OF the soil, to that Of a
good garden mould, that is pro
duced by thorough cultivation.
When deeper cultivation is need
ed, breaking up the fallow affords a
good opportunity TO secure 1t.
Then the subsequent cultivation,
together with the ameliorating ef-
fects of the sun and air, prepares
the new soil thus brought up for
the growth Of plants.
The advantages Of thoroughly
subduinga all weeds and full grasses,
are too well understood to need any
additional reasonings or proofs at
this time; so also is the fact that
making a fallow affords abundant
opportunities for doing this with
teams, in the easiest and cheapest
way.
To make a good fallow requires
no extended directions thorough
ly breaking up in June, frequently
using the harrow, cultivator or
gang pillow, and roller, as the one
or the other may be needed to Sc.
cure a fine, mellow and clean seed
bed, are the main things. The
land may be plowed once, twice or
three times; but still much viii
depend on the frequent and tho
rough use of the harrow and cul
tivator, in pulverizing and subdu
ing the soil