The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-09-12
'OL. XVII.--NO. q.
farnlers' Column.
g Speed the PLOsc."
Cultivation of Wheat.

In many parts of the country wheat is
mostly sown upon summer fallow, or upon
clover turned under say in August, or in
time to afford partial fermentation or de-
composition before the time of sowing the
seed. This method has recently been prac-
tlced by some of the best farmers with the
most encouraging results but clover is sci.
dom sown as it should be to the full extent
OF the wheat crop. The most common
practice among the western farmers is TO
1alloW wheat after corn. But this does not
afford that Improvement to the land, nor so
good preparation ofthe soil as when sown
alter clover, Tor if put in amid the standing
corn the preparation must necessarily be inn
perfectly performed, and if the corn is to
be cut up and shocked, much labor is re-
quired to perform this on an extensive
scale, and frequently results in getting the
seed into the ground at too late period
to afford the plants full time to become so
fairly rooted as to resist the heaving influ-
ence of the winter frosts
When wheat is to follow corn, the most
thorough preparation Of the soil for the
corn should be made by deep blowing, etc.
The extra labor bestowed in this way will
be doubly compensated by the increased
yield OF corn, besides leaving the ground in
better condition to receive the wheat,
whether it is put in while the corn is
standing or after it is shocked. 1t is claim
ed by some tolerable farmers that NOTHING
is lost by sowing wheat among standing
corn, for although the ground can be but
imperfectly prepared the protection afford
ed to the growing wheat during winter by
the corn stalks, is more than compensated
for any lack Of preparation. Whether this
be so or not, it is a sloyenly practice and
should be discarded.
The choice of seed, both as to quality
and variety, and its preparation, are mat
tiers of the first importance. Some varie-
ties are better adapted to certain localities
and soils than others. Some mature earlier
and escape the effects of rust and destruc.
ton by insects. Choice in these matters
must be guided by experience. A little
care and observation on this point, and the
result made public, would prove of the ut
most advantage to the farmer in general
1t is seldom that the seed receives the prop
er care in freeing it from inferior grains
and foul seed that is necessary. Immature
or imperfect seed will not produce vioor-
Gus plant and a full crop; such plants are
only an incumbrancc to the more perfect
ones.
Seed wheat, like seed corn, should be
selected in the field, the portion chosen
should be passed over just before the crop
comes into blossom, and all the rye, cheat
and mixed varieties of wheat pulled out.
When harvested and thrashed it should be
thoroughly cleaned by being several times
run through the fan. W hen cheat has been
harvested with the seed, much of it may be
removed by running it through the fan the
last time after removing all the riddles
feeding slow and turning with a moderate
and steady hand. But to complete the
process of cleaning, IL steep Of brine ora
solution of blue vitriol or copperas, into
which the seed should be put, taking care
to skim off all light and imperfect grains,
cheat and other foul seed that will float
upon the surface. These being removed
and after soaking few hours, the wheat
should be strained and then rolled in dry
air Stacked lime, when it is ready to SOW.
This will generally prevent smut by des-
troying the vitality of the sporules from
which it is supposed this fungus is pro-
duced. Care in these particulars will be
doubly compensated in the purity amt
increase of the crop.-Rurol World.