The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-08-22


years. Western Rural.
More Wheat to the Acre.
THAT the ten, fifteen, and even thirty
bushel wheat-cr0ps are not the largest
that any good wheat soil is capable of
producing, is a fact patent to every in
telligent farmer; yet thousands 20 on
raising these comparatively unprofita-
BILE crops, even though the means is at
hand for largely increasing them. It
is really quite within the possibilities
of any farm suitable for raising wheat
at all, 10 grow an average crop of over
thirty bushels per acre; and forty, fifty,
and even sixty bushels may reasonably
he expected under proper culture.
Such crops are rather the rule than the
exception on good English wheat farms,
but are quite rare in this country.
The cost of fitting the soil, of seed,
sowing, interest on the land and the
number and value of the stock and i'm
plemcnts required are the same for q
small as for a large crop; and the cost
of harvesting is but little more in the
latter case. So that the difference be-
tween a ten and thirty bushel crop is
nearly all profit. But how shall this
extra twenty bushels profit per acre be
gained? BY the use Of sufficient ma
n,tre to make the increase. The fact
that extra manuring makes an addi-
ton to the crop which is nearly all
profit, is a fact seldom realized by
farmers; but such is the case, as most
will admit, after considering the above
statements. The spreading of six cords
of stable manure ON two acres of land
may not produce a crop which will
more than pay the expenses of its pro-
ducti0n; put the same manure on one
acre, and the chances are that Just as
much wheat will be harvested, and at
little more than half the cost. For the
generality of farmers itwould be safe
rule to use what stable manure they
have on half the area it is now applied
to. But to get the largest return from
the farm, and to utilize every acre, is
a laudable ambition of every good
farmer. To do this, he cannot depend
-as many doom the natural fertility
of the soil, or on stable manure; but he
must resort to artificial fertilizers,
which can now be bought with safety
of reliable dealers, with reason
able certainty of getting what
is bargained for. This pieong out
of the farm and soil resources by
use of honest manufactured manures
is working a revolution in American
agriculture; and in no department may
it be better considered than in grain
farming. In the use of these fertil-
izers, however, the same rule applies
as with stable manure; that while q GER
tain small amount per acre may only
produce crop large enough to pay
expenses, half as much more may
cause a handsome profit. We would
not advise, however, that a novice in
the use of fertilizers should go to large
expense at first, but recommend small
beginnings, though boldness may per-
haps lead to 4 surprising success.
When practicable, the farmer may make
a good wheat manure of 800 pounds
of superphosphate of lime containing
ammonia &. c., made of fresh bone),
or the same amount of fine bone COM
posted for three months; this for use on
an acre. Apply also-not mixing the
two--all the unleached woOd-ashes that
can be got. An occasional liberal
dressing of lime will improve wheat
land which is already rich in organic
matter.
But to grow wheat at Il profit, the
question Of fertility is not the only
point to be considered. In all the old
er States, wheat-growing, to be sue
cessful, requires the best kind of FARM
ing. The best seed must he selected;
for, with poor seed, the best culture
practiced cannot produce a good crop.
The variety chosen should be both pro-
lific and hardy. The soil, as a rule,
should be fine clay loan, we'll drained,
and contain Il fair proportion of thor
oughly decomposed organic matter.
The blowing should be only six or sew
en- inches deep, the soil thoroughly
pulverized and compact, with all the
clods on the surface; the seed drilled
in early, and rolled, and the rows far
enough apart to admit of several culti-
vations. Then, with a good season,
and comparative freedom from insects
and disease, and the use Of proper inn
plements in harvesting, a large and
profitable crop may be expected. In
the virgin soils Of the extreme West,
remunerative crops may perhaps still
be raised by the old careless methods;
but the time is close at hand when all
these conditions will apply these as well
as in the older sections of the country.
american AgricultMrist.