Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-08-27
FARM AND FIREsIDE.

FARM AND FIRESIDE.
THIN SEEDING OF WHEAT have
read with much interest and pleasure the
interesting article in your last number, by
Mr.. Shipley, in which his experiments with
wheat are given. It is particularly inter-
esting to the writer, from the fact that it
comprises his own conclusions, drawn out
by experiments of similar nature, and
the result of which prompts this paper
Several years ago small spot in a poor
field was selected. A good-sized pile of
old wood, brush, weeds and the like was
collected during the summer, and after
being thoroughly dried, fire was applied
the last of August; and the season having
been very dry enc, and the heat being
very great, every vestige Of organic mat
ter seemed to be destroyed for some inches
below the surface, the main object being
to see if wheat would grow without the
presence Of organic matter or the artificial
application of nitrogen in any form. On
the 10th of September the grain was plan
ted about six inches apart. -Four weeks
afterwards, on visiting the spot, l found
it was up nicely, with beautiful green
color, the blades reaching one foot above
ground; the result being SO satisfactory
that sample of the same was sent at the
time to Prof. johnson. of Yale College.
with a full statement of its history. The
wheat continued to grow rapidly, with nu
merous branches, and was watched with
much interest. In due season it ripened,
and, being astonished at the number
of grains found on the growth from
single seed (by actual count over 1901 sore
of them we're pulled up and presented
the first meeting of the Maryland Acaden
of Sciences attended. In some cases [
found thirty to forty stems, each having
head of wheat and, if remember correc
ly, some had as high as sixty grains IN
them. After being examined by DR.. Muy-
dock and others, they concluded that it
was simply impossible for all to come from
one grain, and that q number of grains
had gotten together by some means.
Knowing that DR.. NJ. was good author
ing to say, although firm in the faith that
one seed did the business, and determined
to repeat the experiment in due season.
using great care in planting, and careful
that the seed should have no company.
The brush, weeds, &C., were collected.
and in September burnt as before, and as
soon as the heat was out of the ground
the seed planted. It is unnecessary to re-
port the progress, as it is a repetition of
the first experiment.. In due time my har-
vest approached, but unfortunately, not
withstanding high fence enclosed the
spot, it was in reach Of young colt.
which bit the heads all off, hence I was
unable to estimate the grains Of wheat to
each one sown; but the stems we're intact,
and collecting them. they were carefully
secured, to be presented at the next meet
ing of the Academy. It seems my friend,
DR.. NJ, was not satisfied with his conclu-
sions regarding the first exhibition and,
like all sensible men, desired more infor-
nation. Armed with my documents, the
meeting was attended with full deter
mination to combat science with the posi-
tive factS or the case.
had planted my number of grains and
had the right number of punches. My
fun was spoilt, however, for the DR.. got
the floor first, and frankly and like man,
acknowledged his error, and went little
further than am prepared to go, by stat
ing it was possible to grow million of
seed from one. If such is the fact, why
do farmers sow from five to seven pecks to
the acre, when as many pounds will do the
business by proper attention to planting
and cultiyating
As figures usually tell the truth, I pro-
pose giving them to show how much wheat
can be raised to the acre, planted six
inches apart, and assume that each grain
will produce half as much as was found in
the stalk of my first experiment. By act
ual count from mixture of different sam
pies Of the best wheat, could find fair
average will be from 1900 to 1900 to the
pound, 900 to the bushel. An acre,
21O feet square, will take 72O. 400 grains to
plant six inches each way; and if eac,4
grain grows and produces 400 seed. W
equal SO bushels to the acre. With an
thing like such results, what becomes cE
the million and more usually plantee,
producing 8 to 20 bushels to the acre Il
conclusion would suggest that exper-
ments be made, concentrate the manure
on less land, sow less seed. Wheat, unlike
many others plants, must have nitrogen to
form gluten; and to get it from the air,
the soil must be in condition to admit of
the free absorption of air and moisture,
and abandon the idea that every offensive
quarter must be hunted up to obtain mat
ter that will supply minute portion of
the nitrogen to grow crop of wheat
Cor. of .ADaerie0n Farmer.
low TO PREPARE BEEF FAT FOR
SHoRTEN1Na.-Dripping or beef fat for
use should be perfectly free from unpleas-
ant taste or smell, and to insure this it
should be well clarified. In general, the
pouring Of boiling water on it while hot is
sufficient, then allowing it to cool, when
all impurities will settle at the bottom and
may be scraped off with knife but SUI
rer way is to strain it through hair sieve
into saucepan which holds about quart
of boiling water add to this a piece of
soda the size of haricot bean stand the
Id.