The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-04

Fertilizer for Wheot.-Every years ex-
p~erience proves the value of superphosphate
of lime, as a special fertilizer for wheat.
An experienced wheat grower informs us.
that he has used 500 lbs. to the acre, and
that the crop this year, has paid handsome
ly for the outlay. Where a smaller quaint
ty was used, the yield was unsatisfactory.
4 Frequent Mistake is made in supposing
that if a certain quantity of fertilizer will
have a certain effect, this effect will be
doubled by doubling the quantity of the
fertilizer. This has led to much waste and
loss. The greatest possible effect is pro-
cording to circumstances; and each one
must discover for himself, what this guam
tity is. In the case above quoted, 500 lbs.
per acre is the most useful quantity. 9th
ers have found it best to use 600 lbs. and
others again, use only 800 lbs. AS a rule,
the largest applications may be most safely
made on soils we'll filed with barn yard
manure, or vegetable matter.
The use Of Lime.-An application Of lime
will be found useful upon any kind Of soil,
at least once in five or six years. 1t is gen.
orally used at this season., with q fall grain
crop. But where lime is employed, it will
be useless to apply superphosphate, as this
combines with the lime, and becomes sim
pie phosphate of lime, which is insoluble.
Many farmers who have applied superphos-
plate without effect, may find the explana-
ton in the fact, that their soils were filled
with lime, which rendered it inert.
Smut and Rust.-These troublesome dis
eases of wheat and rye may be prevented by
picking the seed. The pickle may be made
of strong brine, or of a solution of 4 ounces
sulphate of copper, in one gallon of water.
Sprinkle the seed grain, stir thoroughly to
wet every kernel, and spread to dry. Eth
er of these will destroy the spores, which
are the seed of the parasitic fungi, known
by the above names.
!, Smut IN Corn.-Smut is poisonous, or at
least very injurious. and care should be ia
ken to prevent it from being eaten with
fodder. It is becoming very common in
corn. It might be we'll to pass through the
corn-felds with a sharp knife and a basket,
and cut off all the punches of smut and
smutty ears, and carry them out where they
may be burned. As one square inch of sur
face may contain 4 1000, 600 spores of smut,
and every spore is capable of producing a
smutty plant, it is important to carefully
destroy every ball of smut.
IMntps.-The cultivation of turnips and
rutabagas, consists Of keeping free from
weeds, and thinning out to a proper dis
lance. One good root at every 9 inches, is
far better than two or three poor ones in
that space. To nave good sound roots Of
any kind, sufficient room must be given.
Beets and Mangek-Early sown beets
and mangels, may be harvested late this
month. If left later, the roots may become
hollow and stringy. a.. over-grown root
may be large, but its size is no indication of
its value. We harvest our early sown man.
gels as soon as the larger ones become hol-
low, and find they ripen in the pits as we'll
or better, than if left in the ground later.
The tops may be fed to COWS or sheep with
benefit.