The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-08-08
Ghe 9armer.
Preparations for the Wheat Crop.

Preparations Tor the WnedC OrOP'
This is now the great point which must
attract the attention of the farmers OF the
Middle States. To secure success to our
labors in raising wheat, or, for that mat
ter, any other crop, there are certain pre-
liminary steps to be taken, upon all OF
which. to greater or less extent, is that
success dependent Good seed, good soil
and GOOD manure are all necessary to insure
success, but even all these combined will
fail if the prerequisite of the proper plow-
ing of the land and the preparation of the
seed-bed is neglected. Indeed, it Is held
by some that upon these latter named pro-
cesses depends more than the former the
full fruition of our hopes in the raising OF
wheat. The pillow, the harrow, the roller
and the drill are all important in the prep
aration of the soil for the reception of the
seed. and the more carefully the work by
them is performed the better the prospect
for the subsequent operations OF the other
items in the catalogue of necessities.
There may be nothing new to the most
of our readers in the remarks OF writer
which We find in the Country Gentleman,
but as q reminder at this season, when we
are preparing for our great money crop, we
subjoin his plan for the preparation of the
seed-bed
"Assoon as the oat crop has been removed,
or even while the shocks are in the field
and not in the line of the plow, | mark
out my lands seven or eight steps wide and
back furrow four rounds on each one; then
commence hauling manure, and drop it in
piles about fifteen feet apart, so that thirty
good two-horse loads will go over an acre
when spread evenly 1t is easier hauling
over the field before the blowing is all done.
Do not fear that the manure will waste any
if put in snug heaps. After the manure
is all out finish blowing the field immedi-
ately, and let it lie until sowing time. The
longer the field remains after blowing the
better as it will give time for the oats to
sprout and grow before sowing. [ always
plow as soon as possible, so as to get my
wheat in by the first week in September,
or not later than the middle of the month,
and the ground should be plowed four
weeks previous if possible. When the oat
stubble is well turned under out of sight
(Which it should be in all cases. there will
be no hindrance to spreading and harrow
inc in the manure. Spread evenly well
out to the dead furrow of each land, and
before any narrowing is done. When one
land is spread give it a brush with the
harrow, and then follow Immediately with
the roller or clod crusher; then let it re-
main undisturbed until the whole field has
been gone over a land at time in this way.
Then harrow thoroughly with a slanting
toothed harrow, both ways if necessary, but
do not use vertical-toothed harrow unless
GAS soon as the field is we'll narrowed,
roll down and drill in the wheat. If the
land is cloddy, the roller or clod-crusher
should be used while the narrowing is being
done, so as to get the surface as fine as
possible. The crusher is best to grind up
the Jumps. l pay great attention to filming
the surface for all my crops. If the
weather is dry when the wheat is drilled
in, a roller should be run over it after the
the drill This will press the seed in and
hold the moisture. 1t also packs the
manure and soil together, so that the best
results are obtained from the manure.
Any one not used to this mode of applying
manure will wonder where all the bulk has
gone, as the most of it will be hid from
sight and incorporated with the soil to the
depth of three inches. If the soil is good,
the crop is sure when other precautions
are observed, such as leading off all the
surplus water, etc By this process timo-
thy sowed in the fall with wheat will make
rank growth and lessen the yield Of
grain, and will insure grass crop and no
failure if seed enough has been used to
give an even catch. If good wheat crop
is desirable, it is best to wait until spring
before sowing the grass seed, when clover
can be sown also if desired. I now adopt
the latter course, and do not fail of good
wheat crop, and the grass comes sure also.
~Some will ask why | use slanting-
tooth harrow 1t is because the work is
more cffectually done, as every time in
passing over the teeth cut and press the
soil, and everything on the surface is drawn
down into the soil, cut by the teeth and
evenly distributed. If manure is applied
on the surface to the depth of three inches
[ can work it all nearly into the soil, so
that little would be seen on top. 1t is not
so with vertical teeth, as in passing over
they loosen and bring the tops to the sur
face and do not cut them, but pass over
and push aside the material we SO much
wish to reduce to fneness. The only use
have for vertical tooth harrow is to
bring clods to the surface so that the
smooth harrow can cut them and the roller
and crusher break them. [ sometimes go
over the cloddy ground with the roller,
which breaks up many Jumps and presses
the rest even with the surface. Then [
use slanting- tooth harrow, which will cut
the Jumps which are bedded in, thus giving
the slanting teeth their best hold. If any
remain the roller and crusher are again
used, and then the smoothing harrow to
finish with. This mode will not disap-
poinbe fact th having patience and perse-
Veraneo enough to make good farmer"