The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-11-22
Agricultural.
Applylng Corn Culture to Wheat.

II ii Is a benefit to cultivate corn be |
tween the 70 va, why Is 1t not an advan.
tags TO give wheat the same treatment,
and for that matter, all or most of the
grains? Winter wheat has tho Fall
and Spring, as well as the Summer In
part, to favor the growth OF weeds and
grass, and we find these abundantly in
terspersed among the wheat. To SOW
crop of corn broadcast for feed Is found
to be of advantage; to SOW in drills and
cultivate Is found to be still better. 1t
pays more than the extra labor. What
used to be sown broadcast and do we'll
1t is now found will do better In drills.
Thus it follows will wheat. Why
will 1t not still further be benefited like
corn If worked between the drills, using
the cultivatOr, and even the hoe, If nee.
esslry? The truth is, we have not yet
arrived at that point of advantage.
England has, 50 far as the decision in
favor of it is concerned. Mechi and
others have tested this matter, aud ex-
perments in a small way practiced
here have pointed the same way, Now,
since drilling isgetting to be established
let Us introduce and prosecute, or at
least test ,cultivating between the rows.
Grass and weeds by this means are
kept out ground is moister and be.
comes the more fertile by it; the crop
is strengthened and kept clean 1.-THE last
quite a considerations and the land
will have no occasion to be self.sown
with weeds for seed, as is usual in grain
and grass crops and neglected cornfields.
Have we too much to do, too much
land 20 cultivate, and 100 little help to
do it with, to he able engage in this :?
But If it is benefit, why neglect this
and attend to other things no more ben
efcial, and not perhaps so much as
this? Why cultivate our corn and neg
lect our wheat, when the latter requires
it equally and it may be more? / am
sorry to have it to say that have test.
cd this no more than in a general way
In the garden, and then not so carefully
as / might. But the thing seems as if
there were more profit in treating wheat
in this way than corn. Who will give
it fair test? Who will lead off and
confirm what the English experiment.
ers have introduced so successfully,
geIing the benefit at the same time and
at once? If narrowing the field with a
smoothing harrow ere the grain is too
large and where there are weeds and
grass starting up is benefit, why not
work the ground between the rows,
leaving the grain uniDjured.
There is great advantage in cultiva-
tion. We find it so among trees, shrubs,
vines, ,hoed crops, and why should it
not also apply to grain, especially that
careful, kingly cereal, wheat? And it
needs it, as the wheat crop is degenerat-
ing among us. 1t is an important crop
in rotation, aud should be made the
most Of. II it is worth following the
soil for it, and giving it the precedence
Of good land, why not further improve
by what is such any advantage to it,
cultivation? Especially such crops as
are poor or much winter killed need
this aid, or weeds and grass will over.
power them. Let us come to the relief
of this fine cereal, and make it some-
thing like what it is made in England.
Country Gentleman.