The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-29

Charlotte county, recently, some heads Of
wheat looking healthy and of good size,
with not grain in them. Other crops
more profitable than wheat, we are con-
vlnced, can be found, and the same re.
mark applies to tobacco. Prominent
among them is molasses from sorghum,
which we understand will be consider
ably made this year in some of the coun-
ties of the State. This industry, of course,
has to be studied and learned, as do
others, but the art is not so difficult as
curing tobacco, the crop nothing like so
expensive, and everything of fertilizing
value is left on the laud. One hundred
to two hundred gallons of molasses can
oe made to the acre on good land, and
oo cents per gallon can easily be gotten
Tor 1t If it is good article But we
have commented on this subject before.
We have been surprised at the capa-
bilities of wheat yield, considering how
small the yield usually is. Some years
since Messrs. Bliss & Sons, of New York,
offered premiums for the best yield of
Pringles Hybrid spring wheats, Cham
plain and Defiance" distributing to COM
petitors one pound packages. The fol-
lowing is extracted from the report of
the committee appointed to make the
awards:
Numerous competitors having fulfilled
the conditions, the committee met, on in
vitation of Messrs. B. X. Bliss & Sons.
and was organised by eecting DR.. F. M.
Hexamer chairman. We found that there
were reports of crops of one or both of
these wheats from all sections of the
Union, and several from Canada. In 40
per cent Of the reports presented, the yields
exceeded one hundred fold increase, and to
these reports we devoted particular at
tention
For CHAMPLAIN WHEAT-To A. j.
Scoggins, Lemore, Cal, for crop of ISL
pounds clean wheat, LIST prize $50. To
John Brakefeld, Avon, Stearns county,
Mimi, for crop of 484 pounds clean wheat,
I'd prize, $25. To Augustus Mouquin,
Rice, 10 Davies county, ILL.,, for crop of
4054 pounds clean wheat, Sd prize, SIS.
To Alfred Rose, Penn Yam, Yates county
n. Y, for crop of 295 pounds clean wheat,
4th prize, $40.
For DEFIANCE WHEAT.-To John
Brakefeld, Avon, Mimi, for crop of 528
pounds clean wheat, lst prize, $50. To
Augustus Mouquin, Rice, Ill, for crop of
400 pounds clean wheat, I'd prize. S25.
10 David Brothers, Denver, Col, for crop
OF 342 pounds clean wheat, Sd prize, SIS.
To A. j. Hickerson, Greenville, Plumas
county, Cal, for crop of SIG pounds clean
wheat, 18th prize, $40.
Thus, if we take the average of the
prize crops of each variety, We have for
the "Champlain" 494 pounds from one
as the average, and for the "Defnance"
4l23 pounds; but if we consider the
enormous yield OF 791 pounds as excess
slve and abnormal, and so throw it out
OF the average, we obtain the figures 42l}
for the "Champlain" as againt 4123 for
the Defiance"
These reports are especially interest
ing as illustrating the possibilities of
wheat-growing under proper cultivation
and thin seeding. Every one of the
prize-takers planted the seed in drills. 9
to II inches apart, and placed the ker-
nels 4 to inches apart in rows most of
them cultivated the plots with hoe or
plough, and some pulled the weeds by
hand, as is not uncommon custom on
the best English wheat-farms. The man
ner in which the seed was put in the
ground in drills and single kernels in
Place--is especially worthy of attention.
as strong ly corroborating the received
opinions in regard to thin seeding.
The most successful competitor, Mr..
Scoggins, made the following statement;
Order sent in February, 1878; sown
March the 18th harvested July 18th.
Planted in rows II inches apart one
way and 8 inches the other, and let
grow without further cultivation. Soil
sandy loan, 10 feet deep; no under
draining; no fertilizer used. Weight of
crop 791 pounds. I do solemnly swear
that the above is true statement of facts.
(Signed) A. j. ScoGG1Ns.
M. ). JENKINS, Witness.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 18th day Of October, 1878.
r. B. HUEY, Justice of the Peace.
Another competitor says:
Planted the same Zone pound each of
Defiance and Champlin) the 18th, 10Th,
and goth Of April. Ploughed the land
deep, about 10 inches; narrowed we'll