The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-06-14
Csltiyating Wheat.

The cultivation Of the wheat crop is 10
a considerable extent engaging the attention
of intelligent farmers who are desrous OF
making advancement in the science of prsc-
tical agriculture, and are willing to expert
ment and investigate the experiments Of
others.
The reasons for cutivating any plant or
crop that we may put in tho ground are so
obvious to ALL that they need not be stated.
As result of cultiyating a crop, we expect
increased returns both in quantity and
quality while neglect to cultivate produces
contrary result. This the experience of
every farmer will corroborate With all |
crops ordinarily cultivated we may reason
| ably expect increased returns proportionate
to the amount of cultivation given. There
fore is it not reasonable to suppose that any
kind of seed that can be placed in the
ground in a proper shape for cultivation,
will be greatly improved by cutivating it ?
And wheat certainly is a plant that will ad-
nit of proper cultivation,
We do not propose to theorze on the sub
ject, however, but will give some facts OBJ
tanned by observation and comparison. Last
week while travelling through Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, we made it point
to visit the farm of Levi W. Croft, near
Bareville. Mr.. Croft has been experiment
ing on the cultivation of wheat, and last
year his experiments were so satisfactory
(resulting in double the yield heretoiore)
that this year he has put in thirty acres OF
wheat and has it in the highest state of
cultivation, having worked it through three
times this spring, does not work it in the
fall. In cultlvating the wheat, Mr.. Croft
y uses wheat drill six feet between the
wheels, and with four sowing tubes instead
of eight. Each tube is 80 arranged with a
spreader at the bottom of it as to put the
seed 10 regular rows tour inches wide, with
nearly eleven inches of space between the
u rows. The distance between the out
side tube and the wheel is the same as
40 between the tubes. This leaves the space
between the rows wide enough apart for the
horses to walk between them without tread
ing down the wheat. In using the drill fo
, for cultivation, the drilling tubes are remov
> ed aud the three-clawed cultivating hoe
are attached, being the same distance apar
as the drilling tubes. The claws of the cul
=, tivating attachment are in triangular group
the centre one in advance of the two QUITE
ones which prevents clogging, leaving tn
ground even and clear. Protectors are ais
~ fastened on to prevent the wheat from be
ing covered up by the dirt as it is throw
~ up by the claws, and they do the work pei
fectly. We witnessed the operating of tn
'' cultivator, and examined the work closel!
1t leaves the ground fresh, loose and me
y low, instead of beaten compactly by I'll
III spring rains. The wheat looked vigorou
"a uniform in height firmly set, rich in colo
,et having that peculiar shade of green whic
indicates healthy state Of the plant,
d, We closely compared it with adjoinin
fields having equally good soil, but put
NJ with a common drill 1t really would nj
Or. admit of comparison. Mr.. Croft informe
US that last year he raised sixty one bust
of els per acre by this mode of cultivation, b'
,tz ing about double the usual yield on th
ce, land. The straw ia heavier and much lie
liable to lodge, and the heads and gra
on grow larger. A good crop of clover hi
ief had been taken off last fall after the whe
had been harvested which shows that
i'm does not interfere with the sowing of clov
Mt. and timothy in the spring. -Practical Far,