The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-09-24
Preparing Tor Wheat.
mi ra.rre- Wa-.--.1 Z


Now that the farmers are making prspara-
tiOns for the wheat crop. IL should not be
overlooked that the most important object
that should be Cought is that of rendering
the seed bed rs Inc as possible. The location
for wheat should be thoroughly pulverized
and narrowed until it is like garden in
condition. The seed should be sound, plump
and uniform, while extra care should be ex-
ercised in freeing it from the seeds of weeds.
By stepping the wheat seed about fifteen
minutes in a solution Of sulphste of copper
the spores OF rust aud smut may be de
strOyed, and this should not be neglected.
Some farmers prefer to brC 1dcast the iced,
while others are more partial to drilling
Toe richer the soil the smaller the quantity
OF seed required, and the quality Of the fer
tiiZsr necessary depends not only upon the
condition of the soil but also upon the kind
Of crop previously grown. If clover for
merly occupied the ground intended for
wheat there will be but little nitrogen re-
guiTed, but phosphate is an important ma
teIial on nearly all farms for this crop
Potash viii not be necessary where barnyard
manure has been applied, but If nitrogen is
quiTed it should be brOadcasted over the
wheat, in the spring in the shape OF nitrate
of soda.
There nave been many experiments con-
nCcted in sec ding wheat for the best results,
= % It has been demonstrated that where the
seed h8s been carefully assorted and plenty
Of &c 0m allowed each plant for growth that
the yield is thereby increased, while the
plant thrives better. Where there IS an ex-
cess Of straw IL is usually an indication that
the land is well supplied with potash aud
nitrogen, and in such ca-es the phosphates
show marked influence on the grains The
practice Of drilling in the phOsphates at the
time OF drilling in the seed although laboc
is saved. is not the proper method, IS the
entire led is not evenly dressed. The ferti-
lizer should be broadcast. so as to have every
portion equally lestilized which enables the
plar T. to feed more eesiIy and colduces to
the better spreading OF the roots.
Cultiyating q crop OF wheat with hoe is a
method which is not pTacticed in this coun-
try, though often done in Europe with
marked success. Our farmers are aware O.
the fact that a good hsr- owing given the
growing wheat in the spring sometimes in
cresses the yield several bushels per acre,
and II is strong evidence that wheat is su
cepHble OF Improvement by cultivation.
Cases are known IN which narrowing, assisted
by hoeing, has doubled the yield, bat many
of the benefits may br haced back to the ex-
celleDt preparation Of the seedbed in the be-
ginn NJ.
Wheat, when put in too early, becomes
subject 10 the attacks of the Hessian fly, and
when seeded late is liable 10 be dislodged by
the frost, consequently the proper time for
seeding depends upon the climate. In the
Southern States the seeding is often delayed
as late Ps November but in this section
September is usually the month during
which the seed is so6n. What we wish to
impress upon farmers however, is the i'm
pOrtance Of thoroughly preparing the soil
now. A good blowing, followed by the use
of pulverizer, with frequent narrowing, i:
the proper method for preparing the ground
The harrow can not be used too frequently
and the land Shouts be thoroughly drained
About one inch g the proper depth for the
seed, and should Sasnyard manure in any
form be used, il should be thoroughly
worked up with the soil before seeding the
wheat