The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-04-05
Spring Wheat.

There Is little doubt that all varieties
Of wheat have come. from one original
parert, the differences that now appear
being the result of differences in soil,
climate, culture, and the sports to which
all vegetation Is inclined. Where 1t was
first found is q disputed question. but It
was probably brought into the United
States from Mexico, having been intro
duced there by the Spaniards, although
the first record we find Of its cultivation
in the American colonies was on the
Elizabeth Islands, on the Massachusetts
coast, where, in 1902, it was sown with
other grains by Gosnold, when he was
exploring the coast.
As now known to us, it Is divided into
two sub-species, the one known as win
ter wheat, the other, less hardy, as
spring wheat. The first withstands the
most severe cold known in our country
without injury; while the other, under
plstely destroyed. But other causes be-
side cold combine to make the spring
wheat preferable in many locations, es-
pecially on light soils in sections where
there Is but little snow; for while the
roots of winter wheat may not be in
jured by intense cold, where the ground
is not protected by snow the plant Is
liable to repeated freezings and thaw-
ings, during which the roots are thrown
out of the ground and ''winter killed"
Each variety requires substantially the
same treatment to insure q satisfactory
crop. Whether the soil be light or
heavy, it should be well-drained, deeply
plowed, and thoroughly pulverized.
The roots of wheat require q rich soil
on the top at least, and the deeper the
richness penetrates the better; but once
well started, If the ground viii admit,
they push their way many feet down.
ward in search OF sustenance. For
spring wheat it is well to plow the
ground in the fall, putting on suoh ma
nure as is obtainable, replowing with
additional manure in the spring, and
narrowing thoroughly. The seed should
be sown so soon as the ground can
properly be made ready for it, that it
may get q good start before hot wealth
er. There Is no plant that takes from
the soil q greater proportion of nourish-
ment than wheat, particularly as regards
potash, soda, phosphates, and lime. IL
either or all of these are wanting in the
soil they must be added.
There is q difference of opinion as to
whether spring wheat sown in drills or
broadcast succeeds best, but we think
the general experience proves the latter
to be the preferable way.
Another point about which there Is
much disagreement is how much seed
should be sewn. Many farmers seem to
believe that the more you SOW the more
you will reap. Overseeing Is not con-
fined to wheat alone. It must be
remembered that from q single grain of
wheat, under favorable conditions, will
come from twenty to fifty tillers, and
room must be had for them to grow If
good results are desired. The quality
Of the seed has much to do with the
quantity needed: And here q word of
caution and advice. II you examine
closely bushel of wheat that at first
sight looks clean and good, you will be
surprised to find how much of it is really
inferior. Too much pains can not be
| taken in the selection and preparation
| of seed. The dollar spent here for extra
care and trouble will be the dollar best
invested. The seed sown that does not
germinate is often less injurious than
that which has just life enough to grow
| and not much more. This latter inter-
feres with the growth of the good plarft,
| and the two together bear less grain
than the good one alone would have
done. The nature and condition of the
| ground also have to do with the quantity
| of seed needed, 50 that it is impossible
to give definite advice as to the amount ;
but, In our Judgment, the limit is
between forty-fiye and fifty-five quarts
to the acre, with leaning in favor OF
the smaller number. The variety to
| SOW depends 50 much on the location
and soil, that each farmer, while largely
governed by the experiences of those
about him so far as the main crop is
concerned, should also experiment for
himself in order to arrive at definite
| conclusions. Farmers in each State OF
section have their fxvorites; some look
TO the number of bushels TO be expected,
others to the quality and quantity Of
-four bushel viii produce, and still
others to the weight of the straw,
Dalrymple, on his Bonanza farm, prefers
to use the Scotch Fife, of which he sow.
1 ffty-two quarts to an acre. He believes
his soil is best adapted to this variety,
which gives him hard grain fitted 70
make the new patent process flour.
The productive power Of a single
grain OF wheat Is almost beyond belief
II Is on record that gentleman in Mas
sachusetts, by careful attention ard re-
peated divisions, gathered as the pro
duct of one grain 81, 109 heads, tht
grains from which weighed forty-sever
pounds seven ounces, and measured
thirty quarts, the estimated number o.
grains being 576, $40, all from one grair
in one harvest.
Where there is not plenty of stable
manure chemical fertilizers may otter
be made 70 serve good purpose
Many are slow to purchase the manu-
factured articles, fearing they may MOI
get what they expect; but it is easy fol
such persons to purchase the material:
from any reputable dealer and mi,
them for themselves. From severa
formulas we have selected the following
as seeming to us combine what is need
ed to aid the growth of wheat: Sulphat,
of ammonia, 200 pounds; ground bones
100 pounds; oil of vitriol, 40 pounds
muriate of potash, so pounds; sulphat,
of soda, 40 pounds; land plaster, IN
pounds. These can be readily mixed
and IL applied to an acre on which whea
has been properly sown can hardly fai
to produce good results.
If, then, you intend to SOW wheat il
the spring, bear in mind these things
Your land must be well drained, eithe
naturally or artifcially. It Is hoping
against hope to expect good crop o
wheat from q wet soil; it must be deepl
plowed and thoroughly pulverized;
must be well manured il it be not suffi
GENTLY rich. The seed must be CAREFUL
selected, and as carefully sown, an
covered about one inch deep. If prac
ticable the ground should be ightl
rolled after the seed is covered. Thes
things well attended to, you have don
your part. The final result is beyon
your control.-N. Y. San.
Farm Lawns.
, Many farmers who keep their field
In the vary hast and most attractive