Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-08-12
farmers 4epartnsllt.
cultivation Of wheat.

Experiment abundantly proves
that ground when plowed for wheat
should be allowed some time to set
tie before it is sewn, the earlier In
the season it is plewed the better,
Clover sod, or loose soil, plowed 10
the fall. and exposed to the cold OF
winter, or pIowed immediately after
a crep of hay is taken OF, or still
better. il the crop of grass is plowed
under about the time 1t is IN bloom
and left lie until seeding time, will
always yield the best crops of wheat.
IT tshould then be stirred with SHOW
el plow, aud the wheat should be
well drilled in. But il it be plowed
late, and the wheat sown before the
soil has had time to settle it Is not
likely to succeed. Unless we'll
drained the ground will Gil with wa
ter, and afterwards will continually
settle and crack, and break up the
roots of the tender wheat plant.
In this condition it is not well fit.
ted to withstand the severity of win
ter and early spring, and sometimes
it is entirely drawn out of the ground
by the frost. If the soil is well set.
tied before sowing IL will nourish
aud hold the plant firm during the
winter.
Green manure should not be
plowed down just before sowing the
wheat. because green vegetable mat
ter is repugnant and poisonous to
the root Of The wheat plant and IN
til it becomes soluble by decomposi,
ten, will not touch it. Green vege-
table matter should be plowed down
at least two months before the time
Of sowing. In the next place wheat
that is sown by the drill is surer than
If sown broadcast. Scattering it
csrelessly by hand is little better
than throwing half of it away. Much
Of it never secures firm hold in the
soil, being merely scattered on the
surface and narrowed in, while some
again may be covered SO deep as
never to get through the surface.
Wheat thus sown is not prepared to
withstand the frosts of winter and
spring.
By means of the drill the wheat is
sown regularly and all at the same
depth. If the seed is good there
need be no allowance made for vast
age as in sowing by hand. One
bushel and peck per acre is plenty,
and i: the grains be small, one BUSH
Ell. 1t is planted regularly and at
proper depth, and it all has an equal
chance to grow. and to fasten its
roots firmly in the soil.
By drilling, fertilizers can also be
sown at the same time. Iffertilizers
be used at all they should be applied
when the wheat is being planted. I
do not mean by fertilizers to confne
the term to commercial fertilizers
Farmers may make valuable fertili-
zers themselves. Ashes on the farm
should be saved. Hen manure should
be saved, and the barn yard manure
should be eomposted. One of the
best fertilizers can be made by mix
ing muck, and ashes and lime. AT
ter the muck, ashes and lime have
combined and have been pulverized,
the composted hen and barnyard ma
nure may be mixed with it, and If
not thoroughly fine can be screened.
The compost is then ready for use in
the drill. At least five or six hun
dred pounds should be used to an
acre. This is the cheapest as well
as one of the best fertilizers, and in
the power of every farmer to secure.
-ETperimental Farm Journal.