Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-09
u.ruest and Seed Time.

In speaking of the husbandman's work we
Generally saw seel time and harvest" be-
canse we have to sow the seed before we can
gather the harvest. In Calf ornia, however,
and especially this season, in point of time
the harvest Immediately precedes or accom-
panies the seeding. That is to say, that while
some of the farmers are still harvesting, 9th
ers are seeding for the next years crop. Then
in one sense we are reversing the general
order Of things, and to suit the words to the
fact as to immediate precedence, we may
reverse tina words and say harvest and seed
time. Notwithstanding this permissible play
upon the phrase, farmers must not forget
that they will reap as they sow. That Is. If
they SOW good seed they will be likely to
reap good crop, and if they SOW poor seed
they will he likely to reap poor crop.
OF course there are many other clreum-
stances that have much TO do with the sue
cess of grain crop, such as the mechanical
condition of the soil, whether well pulverized
and clear of grasses and weeds; whether 1t
has been cultivated in the same kind of crop
many seasons in succession without rest or
without returning to it the necessary fertil-
izing properties to keep up its virgin fertility
and whether the season proves favorable or
unfavorable. All these and many other ques-
lions of similar character vii! have much
to do in determining whether even good
seed will bring good crop. But aside from
g and oil nthnr
siderations, it is certain that the seed
is a controlling factor in wheat cult
ure In the first place, good,
plump, well-grown seed is, under all
circumstances, the best and the cheapest.
This condition being secured. the next thing
to be looked after is that the seed should be
well cleaned of all foul seed, such as oats,
barley cheat and weed seed of every descrip-
ton Weeds grow and accumulate in our
fields fast enough without sowing the seed.
Another important point in selecting seed Is
that the seed should be frequently changed
from one locality to another. When wheat is
sown year after year in the same character OF
soil and in the same climate, or in the same
field, as is often the case, it deteriorates, or
becomes weak and debiiitated. II requires
change of soil and climate to restore and
keep up its best vigor and productive quail
ties. We have 50 many varieties of soil IN
our climate, within our State, that 1t
will be but little trouble for farmers to
make the necessary change of seed every
wear. A change from the southern
to the northern portion of the State, and the
contrary or from the coast counties to the
interior or foothill sections, or the contrary,
will be sufficient to accomplish the purpose,
as well as change from foreign country
and these changes may be made between
farmers from these different sections for
mutual benefit or advantage, and without
cost of freight back and forth. No high
prices are necessary to be paid and no trouble
or other expenses incurred; simple CORE
spondence and exchange of. samples, and then
an exchange of the seed in bulk. For
instance, grangers meeting at the State
Grange might take with them samples OF the
wheat, and ali the arrangements for exchange
might be made there; or, the arrange
ments could be made at the State
aud district fairs, the samples being
shown at these fairs from the various sec
tons. We would not be understood as de-
preciating the efforts of many of our best
farmers to improve our wheats by importa-
tions fresh from Australia, Chile and other
wheat-growiug countries, for we highly APP
prove of these importations as efforts in the
right direction, but suggest cheaper and
more convenient way Of exchange that should
and may be kept up by the great mass Of
farmers, greatly to the general good of wheat
nrrnuinr