The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-10-28
Sowing wheat.

A perfect wheat soil, as has been "a
peatedly stated on this page, must con
tam lime, potash, phosphate and nitro
gen I'D their various combinations will
other mineral elements, and in due pro
portions, and at the same time be sniff.
GENTLY porous to permit water to pas.
down readily and leave the surface dry
and firm. Lime soils are especially
adapted to wheat. Sandy and gravelly
soils by liberal manuring can be made
productive, and no means perhaps are
more effective than clover and plaster or
gypsum.
Soils that yield good clover crops viii
yield good wheat crops, and q clorer
sod IS one OF the best natural prnpara-
tons for wheat. Not few cultiyators
seed corn ground to wheat. Some sow
wheat among the standing corn, but
thus IS not largely practised, as it leayes
the surface OF the land in bad order.
others cut up the corn and pillow and
sow wheat. The lateness of this OPERA
ton is an objection in many sections.
Other cultivators select an oat field or
fallow land. There is great diversity
OF opinion IN regard to sowing wheat
after barley or oats. Many successful
farmers do it; while, on the other hand.
many consider the practice q careless
one and unworthy of good husbandry.
The relative merits of drill and broad
cast sowing of wheat are discussed every
season. The area seeded with the drill.
according to recent reports, amounts to
nffy-seven per cent in the wheat-grov
ing States. Where the soil is in good
condition and free from distractions in
the way of rocks and stumps. the pref
erence is almost invariably for drilling. /
Among the advantages claimed for drill
ing are saving of seed and placing the
lertliizer in closer proximity to the seed.
a great argument in favor Of drilling is
mat It must be preceded by thorough
culture. Many farmers roll their Land
Just before the drill to solidify the sur-
lace. while the soil is left loose under
heath.
Clover and field-peas are accepted as |
among the cheapest and best renovators |
d the soil and produce excellent results.
in thin soils. The application
II lime increases the yield of any of the
yra'n crops and is beyond question bene-
.'s'@ W "HSots Jul Will exhaust the land
persevered in without rotation. After
wheat is sown lime is often advantage
'usiy used as top dressing when mixed
Nth ashes, muck. etc. Where the use of
ertilizers is confined to the practice of
them over the ground and I
lowing in, or scattering over the sur
ace and narrowing in previous to sowing
ne seed, the operation of fertilizing IS
onfined to stated periods OF the year.
tut where the practice is adopted of
nrface manuring after termination and
rowth has been made, the work of man
ring may go on from fall until spring,
nd IN that way the winter accumulation
manure be used. In no case is it well
spread manure heavily enough to in
uce rank growth and thus endanger the
rop by lodging or rust. In applying
round bone and the superphosphitcs on
heat it is generally sown broadcast.
Better drainage and better tillage are
.ch year being given by professional
heat cultivators, who have also dis
'vered that there is happy medium |
'tween very thick and very thin seed.
g.-M T. World.