The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-09-12
FARM TOPICS.

MORE WHEAT TO THE ACRE.-That
the 10, 10, even 30 bushel wheat crops
are not the largest that any good wheat
soil is capable of producing, is a fact
patent to every intelligent farmer; yet
thousands 90 on raising these compare
lively Improbable crops, even though
the means are at hand for largely in
creasing them. 1t is really quite within
the possibilities of any farm suitable for
raising wheat at all to grow an average
crop of over 80 bushels per acre; and
40, 80, and even 60 bushels may reason
ably be 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 implements
required are the same for small as for
aiarge crop; and the cost of harvesting
is but little more in the latter case. So
that the difference between a 10 and
80 bushel crop is nearly all profit. But
how shall this extra 20 bushels profit
per acre be gained? By the use of suf-
ticient manure, to make the increase.
The fact that extra manuring makes an
addition 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 crop which
will more than pay the expenses of its
production; 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 it would 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 can not depends many
doom the natural fertility of the soil,
or on stable manure; but he must re-
sort to artificial fertilizers, which can
now be bought with safety of reliable
dealers, with reasonable certainty of
getting what is bargained for. This
piecing out of the farm and soil re-
sources by the use of honest manufac-
tured manures is working revolution
in American agriculture, and in no de-
partment may it be better considered
than in grain farming. In the use of
these fertilizers, however, the same rule
applies as with agriculture: that while
a certain 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 surprising success.
When practicable the farmer may
make a good wheat manure of
800 lbs of superphosphate of lime
containing ammonia ii. e., made
of fresh bone), or the same amount of
fine bone composted 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 occa-
sional liberal dressing of lime will i'm
prove wheat land which is already rich
in organic matter. But to grow wheat
at profit, the question of fertility is not
the only point to be considered. In all
the older States, wheat-growing, to be
successful, requires the best kind of
+ farming. The best seed must be Sc
lected; for with poor seed, the best cul-
I ture practised can not produce good
crop. The variety chosen should be
both prolific and hardy. The soil, as a
rule, should be a fine clay loan, well
drained, and contain a fair proportion
of thoroughly decomposed organic mat
ter. The blowing should be only six or
seven inches deep, the soil thoroughly
pulverized and compact, with all the
clods on the surface; the seed drilled in