The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-09-20
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD


Wheat requires better soil than rye,
and where tho soil is not good enough to
yield ut least fifteen bushels of wheat to
the acre, it would be better to sow rye,
which might bring twenty-five or thirty
bushels. II is useless to SOW the more
delicate white wheHts, except i'll the very
best soils. The amber and red wheats
are safer to SOW on medium and light
soils. The past has been n wet summer,
and there will be few complaints Of a
soil too dry for sowing. Fields not yet
plowed should be turned over at once,
and narrowed thoroughly until the soil
is well settled. \ firm, mellow soil is
needed for wheat or rye. Sowing BY
drill is the safest method. The saving
Of seed will nearly pay for the useof the
drill. Drills may be hired for fifty cents
nu acre or less. The next best manner
OF sowing, is to broadcast the seed, and
cover with cultivator. If the seed is
sown broadcast, the ground should be
, rolled thoroughly after being narrowed.
Drill sowing saves the labor of harrow.
ing afterwards. Where the fly is not
feared, early sowing is to be preferred.
1t is choice OF evils between the dan
gers oil the fly on the one hand, and of
winter killing on the other. II the soil
is i'll good condition, the time OF sowing
is matter to DO decided according to
circumstances, locality, and the judg.
ment OF the individual.
The small cost md labor of sleeping
the seed is well repaid by the security It
affords against rIst and smut, and the
quickcning of termination. Asleep that
is very effective against smut, is solu-
ton Of four ounces Of sulphate of copper
(bluc vitroD, to gallon OF water. This
is poured over tho wheat, hoapcd on the
barn floor, and the grain is rapidly shoy-
cled over and mixed, until every seed is
moistened with tho solution. II is left
In heap for twenty-four hours, after
which it may be sown. A solution of
ono pound OF guano to pail OF rain
water, or stale chamber I've, is MI excel
lent steep, not only preventing the smut,
but hnstening the sprouting OF the seed.
Ground gypsum (plastcr) should be used
to dry the grain previous to sowing, If
anything is needed, but lime should not
be used with guano water, or lye. Strong
salt and water is frequently used rs n
steep. with good effect; after which. the
seed is mixed with finely slaked lime
until dry, and sown Immediately.
It has been found by experiments that
Mt one inch below the surface every seed
Of wheat grew, if the ground wns moist,
while at two inches seven.eighths of the
seed grew, and Mt three inches three
quarters grew. Notwithstanding this
We would rather SOW two inches deep
than one.
II timothy seed is sown with the wheat
now, aud clover is to be sown in the
spring, from four to six quarts per acre
may DO used. II no clover isto besown,
apeck OF grass seed is not too much.
Weprefer togo over the ground Us soon
as the wheat is drilled, and SOW with n
broadcast sower, or by hand. rather
thnn drill in with the seed. It is easy
to measure the proper distance for the
land by the foot marks in the soft soil.
The seed will find its why into the mel
low soil, and be sufficiently covered. A
quarter Of mn inch is the proper depth
for grass seed. The enc manure from
the poultry house will make valuable
top-tlressing for timothy, and will help
the wheat. In place Of it one hundred
pounds of guano to theacre may be used
-AgTiculturiSt.