Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-08-23
Applying Corn Culture to Wheat.

II it is a benefit to cultivate corn be-
tween the rows, why is it not an advan-
tage to give wheat the same treatment,
and for that matter, all or most of the
grains Winter wheat has the fall and
spring, as well as the summer in part, to
favor the growth of weeds and grass and
we find these abundantly interspersed
among the wheat To SOW q crop of corn
broadcast for feed is found to be an ad-
vantage to SOW in drills and cultivate is
found to be still better. 1t pays more
than the extra labor. Wheat used to be
sown broadcast and do well it is now
found that it will do better in drills.
Thus it follows corn. Why will it not
still further be benefited like corn if
worked between the drills, using the cul-
tivator, and even the hoe if necessary ?
The truth is, we have not yet arrived at
that point of advantage. England has,
so far as the decision in favor of it is
concerned. Mechi and others have tested
this matter, and experiments in a small
way practiced here have pointed the same
way. Now, since drilling is getting to
be established let us introduce and prose.
cute, or at least test, cultivating between
the rows. Grass and weeds by this
means are kept out ground is the
moister and becomes the more fertile by
/ IT !; the crop is strengthened and kept
clean (the last quite consideration, and
the land will have no occasion to be self.
sown with foul seed, as is usual in grain
and grass crops and neglected corntields.
Have we too much to do, too much
land TO cultivate, and too little help to do
1t with, to be able to engage in thisS But
If 1t Is benefit, why neglect this and at
tend TO other things no more beneficial,
and perhaps not so much, as this? Why
cultivate our corn and neglect our wheat,
when the latter requires il equally, and il
may be moreP / am sorry to have it to
say that | have tested this no more than
in 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 eX
permenters have introduced so success
fully, getting the benefit at the same time
and at once9 If narrowing the field with
smoothing harrow ere the grain is toe
large, and where there are weeds and
grass starting up, is a benefit, why not
working the ground between the rows and
leaving the grain uniniured9
There is great advantage in cultiva
tion. We find it so among trees, shrubs
vines, hoed crops, and why should it moi
also apply to grain, especially that care
full, kingly cereal, wheatS And it needs
it, as the wheat crop is degeneratinG
among us. 1t is an important crop in ro
tation, and should be made the most of
If it is worth following the soil for it, ant
giving IL the precedence of good land
why not further improve by what is sucl
an advantage to ii, cultivation? Espe
cially such crops as are poor or mucl
winter-killed need this aid, or weed anC
grass will overpower them. Let us CONF
to the relief of this fine cereal, and make
it something like what IL is made in En-
gland. Country Gentleman,