, 1883-05-19
Agricultural Nicknacks.
Wheat Growing.

Wheat Growing.
In the December number Of Tht
Garden stated that my method OF
growing wheat "begins with the
seed and ends with the seed" q,
Experience and experiments prove
concluSively that the seed is by far
the most important factor in field,
garden, and lawn. l am asked show
make so small quantity go over
an acre ~
The results of one or two expert
ments will show the value of good
seed, and the reason why sound and
genuine seed goes 80 far.
In 1873 I'planted I! pounds of ni,C
handpicked wheat, on an exact
square acre, in rows IS inches apart.
l cultivated it three times, and nj
harvest threshed out 81 bushels, II
pounds--j3S fold. In 1881 l planted
on 40 square rods, - ounces of very
fine selected wheat, cultivated and
irrigated it twice. The produt was
IS bushels, 6 pounds-5l3 fold, OF
nearly 72l bushels per acre.
The same year, on IS square feet,
l planted 7G kernels of extra fine
seed, weighing IS grains Troy. This
was cultivated and fertilized very
carefully. The product realized ex-
actly 1Ol pounds-almost 1000 fold,
and nearly at the rate of 100 bushels
per acre.
These experiments, repeat, as
well as many more on record, show
cOnclusively the value of good seed,
and the importance of keeping ii
pure and improved by crossing and
careful selection. One of the most
natural habits of wheat, oats, rye,
ttc., is the process of tilleFing-not
suckering. 1t consists of n growth
of new stems from the first or parent
stock. Inthe first stages Of its growth
the plrent stem has ring around it
just below the surface of the soil.
IrDm this ring new stems or tillers
rise, surrounding the parent stock as
the braces of an umbrella do the
handles.
Every new tillcr has its ring also
and stems. | have known as many
as lSl tillers come from a single ker-
mel OF wheat, all of which bore good
heads, averaging u grains, or 1902
from one planted.
Thin sowing and cultivation of
wheat very much encourage this
habit. Winter wheat in particular,
when the condition of the soil are
favorable, thriveS much better, and
yields much more abundantly when
sOwn thin.
Thin seeding will always and in
variably produce greater yield and
of better quality when the seed is
pure and the condition of the soil are
favorable.
1t is within the reach and power
of every farmer to make his seed
pure, and the conditions .fdrOrd6le.
Herein lies the secret of making
large crops from thin seeding.
The encouragement of the tillering
process and of cultivation necessarily
give new vigor to the plant conse-
quently, the maturity of the grain is
retarded, and at the same time, /
think, it is made better.
There is danger, however, Of rust
when crop of wheat is forced and
permitted to grow beyond the time
it should mature.
When thickly sown it makes but
few If any tillers, and its tendency
is to ripen earlier, with shorter straw,
shorter heads, and fewer kernels.
"The greatest enemy Of wheat is
wheat" Wheat cannot bear to be
.overcrOwded. 1t fails to carry out
its natural habits /; as well does it fail
to develop fully in straw and grain.
In making the conditions of the
soil favorable, the farmer must thor
.Oughly understand the nature of his
soil, and what bis wheat wants and
what it doesn't want-its likes and
dislikes, tOput it in plain language.
For instance 1t likes high, dry,
clay soil, not too finely pulverized-
one that will pack well, and with
but a little alluvial matter in it. 1t
dislikes shade, damp low lands, and
too much manure. The selection of
the seed has much to do with the
yield. Poor seed makes poor yields
and poor crops generally. The grain
taken from the parent stock above
mentioned will be found to be the
best in all respects. The top ear on
stock of corn is the best for seed.
The center stock Of a cabbage, beet
and radish panicle bears the best
seed.-ProE a. +. B,Onnt (COtOrddo
agricultural C0Ltege), in the An'ericdn
GdrdeR.