The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-05-05
Growth of Cereals.

VI idtC carr, tilc idWS COiltlOl1lHS
the development of cereals from GER
minstion to maturity, have been more
carefully studied than i'm former years,
and the result of these researches are
not only interesting, but valuable i'm
the highest degree to tie practical
farmer, as they will enable him 20
improve his modes of culture, by
avoiding errors that seriously inter-
fere with the growth and development
of plants.
Among the most interesting of the
many papers that have been prepared
ON this subject, is one read at a recent
meeting of the British Association,
by Mr.. +. +. Hallct, in which were
detailed the results of series OF OK
pcriments conducted by the author
for the purpose of establishing certain
important facts connected with the
growth of cereals. Starting upon the
conviction that grain, and especially
wheat, is injured by planting too
closely, he found wheat plant would
increase above the ground in proper
ton as its roots had room 10 develop,
and that the roots might be hindered
by being i'm contact with the roots OF
other plants. TO enforce this argu-
ment against close planting, we may
add Liebig's remark, that the great
est enemy to a wheat plant is another
wheat plant, not only because the
natural development of The roots are
retarded, but also for tie obvious rca-
son that both require the same food !;
small head and kernels, and weak,
fiabby straw, are the natural cOnse-
quences of such competition" j. j.
Mechi, the widely known farmer and
writer of England, says the close
sowing of grain is national calamity.
Mr.. Hallct continued his expert
ments, planting one kernel of wheat
only, and by applying the principles
he had previously deducted to i'm
proving the method of cultivation, he
succeeded in raising wheat, whose
ears contained 123 grains. In the
course of these Investigations he made
other discoveries with regard to the
growth of cereals, which may be sum-
med up as follows:
l. Every fully developed plant,
whether of wheat, oats or barley,
presents one ear superior in produc-
tive power TO any OF the rest OH that
plant.
9 Every such plant contains one
grain, which upon trial, proves more
productive than any other.
3. The best grain in E given plant is
found i'm its best car.
4. The superior vigor of this plant
is transmissible i'm different degrees TO
its progeny.
5. BY repeated careful selection the
superiority is accumulated.
6. The improvement which is first
raised gradually, after series OF
years is diminished in amount, and
eventually so far arrested, that prac-
tically speaking limit TO improve
ment in the desired quality is reached.
Z. BY still continuing 10 select, the
Improvement is maintained, and prac-
tically fixed type is the result.
The progress now being made in
agriculture. is the joint work of theo-
ry and practice, and the developments
OF late years concerning the structure
and physiology of plants, are of in
calculablc benefit. Chemistry .has
now demonstrated tie conditions alb
sclutcly demanded by vegetation for
its growth, and points out TO the in
q. quiring mind the sOm ccs whence the
requisite materials can be procured,
and the process by which the me-
chanical action can be best accom-
plished. Every really successful far
mer must, TO some extent, be scien-
tific man, because i'm developing the
capacities of his land 10 the utmost,
in maintaining and increasing its
fertility, and overcoming the Difficult
tics that 6afllc others, Inc must apply
established principles and the knowl-
edge of facts that constitute impor-
tant elements of success.-Fdrmers'
UOms Journal.