Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-09-19
WHEAT CULTURE.
WIN. POLLOCK INTERVIEWER

Understanding that Mr.. VIM. Pol
lock of this city, also of the firm Of
Messrs. VIM. POLLOCK & Co, millers,
had some peculiar Views OF the most
praCticaf mode of enchancing the val.
ue OF real estate, we called OH that
gentleman aud in RESPONSE to What
can be done to put up tie price Of
farms in Audrain county received
the following answer: MOI extern
sive and more thorough cult, alton
of wheat. For six years this county
has not raised its own bread. Dur
ing that time $50. 900 bushels of
wheat costing $517,5 500 have been i'm
ported. What county can stand
such q drain? How can farmers ex
pect to prosper and improve their
farms when they do not raise the bread
they eat. Seven years ago this co an
ty cultivated wheat to a considerable
extent. Enough was then raised to
supply this mill and meet home lie
msnd. About that lime the county
was oyer-run with chintz bugs and as
q consequence wheat culture was
abandoned and although for some
years, for three at least, these de-
structive insects have not abounled
it has not been renewed extensively.
i am glad to see that demand has
sprung up for seed aud that twice
the breadth of last year will be sCwn
this fail. This is an effort in the
right direction, but it must be greatly
Increased before wheat can ~eninincI
the value of farm property.
While on this subject wonld like
to say a few words in regard to tlit
proper cultivation of wheat. Whei
our lands were fresh the yield was
good, still in my opinion our wheal
fields have never received the prep
Grafton necessary to secure heavy
crops. In addition to deep blowing
our lands ought TO be MANFRED OF
D lined. Subsoiling and ditch piowius
= will be very beneficial, Let the coul
. ter or ditch plow follow the others
Our lands have a tendency to run 70.
! gether. Long manure, coal ashes
\ sand and lime stone gravel will hell
l to keep them open. Often during
/ the spaing season, especially in March
n water is absorbed in great quaint
ties wen on most of our rolling hill
sides. This often Injuries wheat b,
, alter late free2ings aud thawiHgs il
the midst Of which processes it 10 dc
stroyed. Deep and ditch plowin!
and the application Of anything tina
, will tend to keep the soil open vii
remedy this.
1t will also be of great advantag
to have good seed. The Fultz wllea
r has been extensively tried and as uni
y versally approved. Its average yiel'
:, during the past season has been trou
" rs to n bushels per tcre. 1t is $ j.
to grow differently from other yarle
/, ties. The connection between III
# grain aud the stool ut the surface i
q uncoinmonly strong and not e:siI,
broken by frost. 1t weighs we'll all,
makes excellent -four. The Nell
teranean is also "A good variety 70
c which there is excellent demand Mher
mills are prepared to grind it proper
IS. The Fnltz wheat, howevet, la
succeeded better this year than all
other in this county. ..
1t is scarcely necessary To remip
C practical farmers that the cult, alto
recommended will be beneficial I
other crops, especially durini
. droughts, or that large breadtis {
wheat need not lessen those of corr
:, . Ssss sP faq haE &, s ssS b us ISL a 4 SO |
:. time in harvest. Neither is it necei
sary to dwell upon the Importance
adding a quarter of u million of dol
lars annually to the value of farl
produots z,