Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-03-11
farm aud 8OastbpId,
Growth OF Cereals.

OF late years, the laws controlling
the development OF cereals from ger
miuation to maturity, have been more
carefully studied than in former years,
and the results o fthese researches are
not only interesting, but valuable in
the highest degree to the practical
farmer, as they will enable him to i'm.
prove his modes OF culture, by avoid
inc errors that seriously interfere with
the growth and development of plants.
Among the most interesting of the
many papers hat have been prepared
on this subject, is one read at a recent
meeting OF the British Association,
bv Mr.. +. +. %llallet, in which were
detailed 'he results Of a series OF ex-
periment conducted by the author
for the p rpose of establishing certain
importan facts connected with the
growth 0 cereals. Starting upon the
conyictitl that grain, and especially
whea, ! injured by planting too
closely, J c found awheat plant would
increase lbove the ground in proper
ton as ii roots had room to develop,
and that he roots might be hindercd
b, being n contact with the roots OF
another plant. To enforce this argu-
ment against close planting, we may
add LieLig's remark, that "the great
est enemy 10 a wheat plant is another
wheat plant, not only because the nat
ural Development of the roots are re-
tarded, but also for the obvious reason
that both require the same food
small head and kernels, and weak
fl bby straw, are the natural conse
q ences of such a competition" ]. ]
Nechi. the widely known farmer ant
writer of England, says the clos,
sowing of grain is national calamity
DIR. Hallet continued his expert
men:s, planting one kernel of whea
only, and by applying the principle
he had previously deducted to i'm
owing the method of cultivation, h
succeeded in raising wheat, who's
ears contained l23 grains. In tn
course OF these Investigations, he mad
other discoveries with regard to tn
growth of cereals, which may b
summed up as follows:
l.. Every fully developed plan
whether Of wheat, oats or barley, pre-
sents one ear superior in productiy
power to any OF the rest on tn
plant.
>. Every such plant contains on
grain, which upon trial, proves MOI
productive than any other.
5, The best grain in a given plant
found in its best ear.
4. The superior vigor of this plaI
is transmissible in different degrees
its progeny.
). By repeated careful selection I'll
superiority is accumulated.
6. The improvement which is fir
raised gradually, after a series
years is diminished in amount, all
eventually'so far arrested, that pract
t cally speaking a limit to improypmel
in the desired quality is reached.
;. I. BY still continuing to select, Il
! Improvement is maintained, sndpra
tically a fixed type is the result.
The progress now being made
: agriculture, is the joint work of the,
/, ry and practice, and the development
/. Of late years concerning the structu
and physiology of plants, are of inca
0 culable benefit. Chemistry has no
/ demonstrated the conditions absolut
ly demanded by vegetation for
: growth, and points out to the inqui
ing mind the sources whence the l
D quisiie materials can he procured, al
n the process by which the mechanic
acton can be best accomplished. L
|. cry really successful farmer must,
y some extent, be a scientific man, l
cause in developing the capacities
n his land to the utmost, in maintai.
and increasing its fertility, and ov,
h coming the difficulties that bal
a others, he must apply established pr
n ciples and the knowledge of facts ii
], constitute important elements of 81
N cess Farmers Home Journal.