Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-09-02
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Originally
L 49,
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WHEAT.


Various opinions are entertained respecting
the value Of wheat as crop. Not a few are
disposed to think that it is more profitable for
cotton planters to raise cotton and buy their
-four. This, we are convinced, is heterodox
doctrine, and is attended with ruinous results
to the country. The true theory and proper
practice for the cotton planter, is to produce
his own supplies, as far as the soil and climate
will allow, and all the cotton he can besides.
1t is a fact, worthy Of note, that :alls those
farmers who are accustomed to produce their
own corn, wheat, bacon; and other necessaries,
are in good condition, SO far as their pecu.
MARY affairs are concerned, whilst such can.
not be said of those who are known as pro-
vision buyers. So long as wheat continues TO-
be used extensively, as an article of food, and
80 long as our soil and climate remain adapted
to the culture of wheat it will be profitable
to raise wheat -,
It is said that wheat is an uncertain crop.
1t is not more so than either corn or cotton.
Any crop is uncertain, when it is not cult
waited on the proper kind Of soil, and in the
proper mode. The great reason that wheat
so often fails to produce favorable yield is, it
is not sown until too late in the season..
Wheat should be sown soon enough in the
fall that it may have time to become we'll set
in the ground before winter. 1t requires
part of two years to make wheat. Sometimes,
wheat sown in December will make good
crop, but it is an exception to the rule. In
York county, all wheat should be sown in
the month of October, Wheat requires
dry soil. 1t is, generally speaking, a waste Of
time, land and labor, to SOW low bottom lands
in wheat. If the object is to improve the
land, or rest it, as farmers say, it would be
far better to let the land alone, and permit it
to grow up in grass.
Another reason why wheat crop is not
remunerative, is found in the fact that no
crop is SO carelessly planted. The sowing is
delayed until the season is past, and it is con-
cluded that the wheat must be sown, some
way or other. The ground is plowed when it
is too wet, and plowed in the most miserable
way in the world. Wet sods are turned over
on the wheat, and the RESULT large amount
of it never even gets up. 1t is always bad
policy to plow when the ground is so wet that
it will not crumble when turned up, but per-
haps its deleterious effects are seen more visi-
bly where wheat is sown, than in the case Of
any other crop
Before wheat is sown, the ground should be
thoroughly plowed. By being thoroughly
plowed, we mean it should be broken deep.
and close. Before this is done, whatever ma
nure is designed for the wheat, should be
spread evenly over the land, and turned
under with the weeds and grass. This done,
the land should be allowed to settle, and then
the wheat should be sown and the ground
again plowed with very short plow. This
last plowing subserves no other purpose than
to cover the grain.
The kind of grain sown should not be left
out of view. In the first place, none but good,
sound kernels should be sown. 1t is bad
policy to save the refuse Of anything for seed.
With regard to the variety of wheat that
should be sown, it may be stated, as general
fact, that early varieties are better than late
ones. Of the early varieties, perhaps what is
known as the red May wheat is as good as any
other, if not the best of all varieties. 1t
makes good flour, is not subject to rust, and
on good land the yield is equal to any other
variety that has ever been tried in this region.
The only objection that can be raised against
the red May wheat is, that unless the land is
rich, it will not grow high enough to cut. 1t
will make fair head on very thin land, but
the stalk will be so low that on our rough
land, and with our poor implements for saving
wheat, it will be impossible to gather it. If
our farmers will SOW largely of wheat and
oats this fall, and plant large corn crop
next year, the country will be put in pros
porous condition.