The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-20

eSclilent come into general: use. and
been appreciated us it deserves.
| -. improvements CT S:c,; Grain.
We prepared Il careful article :ol
o'lr north western farmers, on the inn
provement of seed grain. when some
kind friend sent rs the following:
written BY \. +. Blunt and pub. ished
| in the Country Gentleman. which we
publish instead OF the original we pre-
pared, and respectfully ask the co!ls;d-
Grafton Of the farmers in this Stat" 10
its Importance.
| IMPROVEMENT CT :i.!:n GRAM.
For some yet Unuccoulltcl Tor r";s-
son, the average yield o. wheat has
been growing less nNl less Ior Years
all over the country In the same TO-
calities, on the same soil That once BRO
duced on an average Of thirty bushels,
the yield now is bit fifteen. Has the
land degener&ted, run ont. or heel GN-
hausted of all its life Rave the sea
sons SO changed that their influence
upon the growing crop is Destructive
OF has the seed 50 far t!ttorioratvu that
al average cannot be Obtained?
TO Say that the land has leyenerat-
&C, OF lost its vitality would condemn,
the utility of malures; 10th hun1e-
made and commercial. Never was
there SO much labor bestowed and
money spent upon the soil to }rrtj!iZe
it as now. Twenty tons are nn';- cc;lt-
tered where but enc WAS used years
ago. The most scientifically prepared
composts arc now put on the soil, and
still the averages 60 down. Has the
climate anything to do with lessening
the average? But little, when COM
:'Arpsl with other essentials. say
.'2>1ny 'ittle.' When the winter is
cilaI:I> l1rizcd by long, deep SHOWS the
wheat crop is better. is better. too,
when freezes and thaWs do not fire.
q'ent]y come and 60. and when the
rainfall is small. THEN. repeat it..
the season has mach less 10 10 with
making Il wheat crop sure and proiita-
/ llp thai, most nenrln. are willing to
admit.
Has The seed, used and lisah1l5o:l y;
it DOW is, anything to <lo III dimil4i*!'-
f! ing the yield ! Much, very much. |
contend, as have done il, former ~
! tl"!n*. that q good and profitable Whp;;t
crop depends as much. il not more
! than half. upon careful selecting and
saving Of the seed. | know ii t> ~ q
t;!ct in this section from numerous tx
perinlents have made with more t''.;ell
/ twenty varieties, e,t wheat upon differ
eNt soils and with different fertilizers.
; \ Systrla OF carglessncss III Scle;ting
and saving seed wheat has character
, iZcG almost the entire class Of wheat
growers Eor a long time. This system
would ruin any seed if carried to such
an extent. Crops are cut in the dough
state, before the germ has Income ma
tnrctl sufficiently to reproduce even &
j healthy stalk; it is tArcsled Without
! any reference to the Injurious effects
Of the heavy. rapid strokes Of the
thrcsll"r upon the grain: it is p1t in
! the garner and made to '-sWea'.'
hen reason. common sense and
the laws oi vegetable physiology are
! brought to bear upon such treatment
! OF seed. WilO wonders at the decline in
averages who can be aStonislltd that
it has run cut? Nheas for seed
should he selected IS carefully, and
gathered when as ripe as farmers DO
their seed corn or florist their seeds.
Corn has not deteriOrateu, nor have
other seeds and grain. Vegetable
| gardeners. florists and sceusmcn eXer-
! else the %rent"St possible care in say
! ing their seeds. It is the only method
t!!eE can adept l>y which they keep up
/ the standard Of their products. I'M.
! prove their seed, flowers and fruits,
and s7?stain their reputation. Why
not: then. do the same in wheat; why
not take the best; why no. lett it ripvn
we'll before cutting! contend that
every farmer should rick by hand {,
Jew bushels OF >i>;A-r;,tt heads every
year from the choicest soil, and should
rub the grain ont instead OF thrcsh-
ing. 1t viii take time and patience.
hut by %ct:'al experiments | have
na',e for six Years it Will pay; pay
well, too. Should This system be car
iied ont by all, the former average
could ne easily attained. and the many
enemies ANA accidents that attaci,
"heat would be in great measure
avoided.
Appearances are DHc"iliisG.