Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-10

H.. tAy9nuv" us tetter suggests 10 forci
Die manner some things deeply interest
ing 70 the farmers Of Middle Tennessee
Ii 'he success of the wheat crop depend
upon the periodical change in the seed
always going from later 10 an eessrrlie
variety, then systematic course Shout,
oe adopted By which the varieties ar
rotated and constant change kept up
But we think that diseases in wheat ar,
of two kinds. ~. Az s.-@.s ssA40
l. Those which are to be attributed Il
the season; and
2. Those which are hereditary. ~ /.
Inc very best varieties of wheat viii
oftendmes fail from unpropitious sea.
sons, or from attacks of animal para.
sites. In such cases no good result could
possibly be derived from a change of
seed; and we have often known enor.
nous crops of wheat to be raised from
the sowing of shrivelled grain. The vi
'aiity OF the seed is impaired only to a
sngnt degree by shrivelling. There is
lacking small quantity of starch which
furnishes food to the young plant until it
can derive sustenance from the soil by its
roots, but even the supply of starch is in
excess IN plump grain of wheat, and a
great portion of it rots and is of no more
benefit tothe young plant than many other
kinds OF msnures. Wehsve the concurrent
testimony of many successful wheat
growers that large crops of wheat are
often raised from the sowing of shriyelled
grains when that condition results from
the season or attacks of insects; but if it
is induced from any hereditary disease,
or from any gradual deterioration of the
variety induced by climatic influences, or
from an unsuitableness in the soil, then
common prudence would suggest change
In the variety. We fully agree with our
correspondent that we cannot expect a
fine offspring from an inferior parent,
but If that inferiority results from acct.
dent, and not from inherent causes, we
see no reason to believe that the accident
should be transmitted from parent to off
spring:
10 the Editors Of the Union and American:
1t is generally admitted that we should
use the best Of every crop for seed, and
hat we cannot expect a fine offspring
from an inferior parent of any kind. I'll
hink this remark particularly applies to
wheat, and draw my conclusion from
personal observation of this crop for the |
asst forty-eight years. The immense loss
o our Southern States this year induces
ne to offer my observations, and ] think |
cannot do better than give history of |
his crop, as / remember it from 1928 to
81.
In 1898 we were raising generally here
Vhest what was called the Baltimore
'earded." This variety did well for sew
raj years, but was succeeded by the
Missouri velvet chsff," which gave
much better satisfaction, and was the
avorite until 1910, when we had two
ears failure from rust. Then the
red May wheat" was introduced.
nd we thought we had the very thing
We needed. 1t matured very finely, a
lump, round grain, well liked by both
armers and millers. Our harvesting was
enerally over by the last of May. My
eighbor, Mr.. L. T. Carney, had new
our on his table in May, 1912. But this
arly maturing did not continue; year by
ear, the harvest was later and at the
anne time the grain lost much of its
lumpness, and as it was later maturing,
Tas more liable to rust. The 'sred May
owever, continued to be the favorite
ntil about 1856, when several new yari-
ties were brought in and experimental
nth, and the ''B0ughton Wheat" was
enerslly adopted. 1t was brought here
rom Virginia by Col Shaw D. Morris,
nd was often called the ''Morris wheat
his regard the finest wheat ever saw
'hen 1t was first introduced, but it has
Uttered gradual depreciation until the
resent time, losing its plumpness and
eau'y. The harvest being later year by
OAJ luSI duO OluSE UlSSSS6S more
I'd more affecting il, until the present
ear, and now we have an almos. com
lete failure. / will remark that the
Boughton wheat" when it was first in
oduced, was generally harvested before
lie 10th of June. Il now comes in about
lie 18th.
We see that no variety has lasted US ,,
niger than ten or fifteen years, and that
e have always been forced to change
II seed by failure of the crop, which ,,
ways causes incalculable loss. Il is -.
so noticed tina. a change from a late to ,
early variety has always been attended /,
it'll good success.
Whether the gradual falling off of !
.ch variety after it hes been here a :
lille, is attributable to the natural effect
climate and soil, or negligence in SOW =
6 the best and purest of the grain, am :
IT prepared to say. Every man can :
dge for himself; but do suggest that :
e ought always to SOW variety that I
i'll mature by the 10Th of June.
Fl. Z. VAUGHAN.
Montgomery county, Tenn, July 81,