The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-13
0lre 9armer.
WHEAT CULTURE.
BY b. PURYEAR, LII. d.

was never more important and Imperative
thannow. Despite the unequal competition
from the great West, which from the abun-
dant means of transportation we have to
encounter, we cannot afford to abandon the
cultivation of the noblest of the cereals
Its cultivation, important in itself, is still
more important in the secondary effects
which follow in its wake.
AS the time is upon us for making prep
aration for the seeding Of wheat, perhaps
a short article on wheat culture may not
be inappropriate.
Where the land is well turfed, particu-
larly when clover field is to be fallowed
for wheat, we believe in deep and early
blowing, and we will give the reasons for
our faith Under the circumstances indi-
Gated, we object to refallowing as unneces-
sarily expensive and positively injurious.
We advise, then, that the land should
be plowed in August and September when
ever it is in order. The active, watchful
farmer should seek to utilize all good
seasons for following, both because this is
the best time for the work. and further be-
cause we are most liable to droughts in the
early fall, when good blowing is impos-
sible
But the objection with some to early
following is that before the time of seeding
the land becomes foul with grass and
weeds, and hence the necessity of refallow
ing. But we answer-as often as neces-
sary let the land be narrowed and cross
narrowed. The work is rapidly done, and
may be done several times with less labor
than a single blowing. What reasons re-
commend this course? Wheat loves
compact soil. Winter spewing is far more
likely to ensue when the land is freshly
plowed, and is loose and porous to the
depth of eight or ten inches. But by the
plan recommended, while the soil is made
clean and thoroughly pulverized to the
depth of 3 or inches, all below is becom-
ing compact and firm. These are just the
conditions which the crop requires. In the
clean, loose, thoroughly pulverized surface
.soil, the seeds terminate promptly, followed
by rapid growth, so that by the time hard
weather sets in the roots are firmly anchored
in the compact under soil. Spewing,
winter-killing, are now far less likely 10
ensue.
Again the turf and weeds are all below.
Refalowing would have thrown this vege-
tation in large measure to the surface.
We believe that it is best that it should
remain and decompose where it was origi-
nally placed by the plow In this case
there is no loss of the fertilizing material
of the buried vegetation. 1t decomposes
slowly. The roots are slowly striking down
to it, and it is gradually rising by capillar-
ity to the roots In this way the fertilizing
material of the decompOsing vegetation is
furnished gradually and uniformly to the
crop during the whole period of its growth,
and heavier yield is the necessary result.
As to fertilizers: 1t cannot be too often
repeated that the special demand Of wheat
upon the soil. and indeed of all the cereals,
is the phosphate of lime, or, as it is now
called, calcium phosphate. The ash of the
grain of wheat contains nine or ten sub
stances; but the weight of the phosphate
of lime is as much as the combined weight
. Of the entire remainder. The decomposing
vegetation, when abundant, will furnish
ammonia to develop the stalk; finely ground
bones, composed chiefly of phosphate of
lime, will ensure the formation and de-
velopment of the grains. Our point then
is that when heavy turf is turned under.
the farmer need not incur the heavy ex-
pensc of ammoniacal compounds. The
decomposing vegetation buried in the soil
will meet this demand. But let him apply
phosphate of lime, finely ground. at from
200 to 400 pounds per acre, according to
the quality of the land, in order to secure
the full development Of the grains.
The application Of phosphate Of lime
should be Heavier when wheat follows wheat
or corn The preceding crop has made
already special demand upon the soil fot
phosphate of lime, and hence the necessity
in such eases of heavier applications Of thi,
fertilizer. But when wheat follows tobacco
the Indication is different. The cultivation
of tobacco leaves the land clean of vegetation
while this crop has not made large de-
mand, but small one, for phosphate OF
lime. If the land needs help it is rather
in the direction of putreseent manures, OIL
ammoniated compounds.
As to the mode of seeding: The drill
should be used whenever possible In.
deed, we think that if we had to seed wheat
by brOadcasting we should abandon it al
together. The drill puts in the seed at
uniform distances, and eoFers at uniform
depths. The termination, therefore, i,
more perfect, and hence less seed per acre
is required. When the wheat is broad
casted and narrowed, many grains are left
uncovered, and many are covered so slightly
that, unless the season is favorable, they dc
not terminate; and, if they do, the stalks
should a little drought come, die OUT
rapidly.
The time OF seeding is immensely i'm
portant. We sustain great losses every
year from late seeding, and generally there
is little excuse for late seeding. If the
farmer will seize every opportunity of fall
lowing for ten weeks before seeding time
it will very rarely happen that he will not
be ready when seeding time comes Ii
costs no more labor, and saves vast anxiety
to be ready at seeding time and make a
good crop, than not to be ready and have
poor crop. We believe that for the lat.
itude of Maryland and northern. Virginia.
the best time for seeding wheat is from the
9TH to the 18th of October. This is late
enough generally to protect the crop from
the Hessian fly, and yet allows sufficient
time for the roots to penetrate to a depth
that will not be reached by the winter
freezes.
There is no need to feel a cows pulse to