The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-09-15
FARMING.

EXPERIMENTAL FARMING.
+ Cedar Grove has led off among
the clubs in this county by offering
a premium of ten bushels Of wheat
to the member who produces the
largest yield of wheat ON acre
of ground. This is a good idea and
it suggests some thoughts on the
subject Of experimental farming
which we submit for the considera-
ton Of clubs. We have read in
agricultural journals Of some extra
ordinary yields of grain, especially
of wheat, in California and Delaware
which would seem incredible if they
were not vouched for by respectable
authority. California is a famed
State for wheat culture, the soil and
climate being both well adapted to
it. Sixty bushels to the acre is
there not considered a large yield,
more than that being frequently
raised, but when a yield at the rate
of 100, 200 and 225 bushels to the
acre is reported these figures stag
ger belief, if they are not fatty pro-
nounced false, but yet these figures
on small parcels of ground have
been reached and are we'll vouched
for. Figures nearly as large have
been reached on some experiment
farms in Delaware which are well
vouched for, too. Of course no one
expects to attain such results as a
general thing on large fields, but
there is no doubt that the yield of
wheat on most farms could be doubled
or trebled by a system of expert
ments, experiments as to the particu-
lar soil, the character and quality of
fertilizers, the kind ofseed, the meth
Cd ofplanting and culture. These Cal
ifornia and Delaware experiments
were carried on by planting in drills,
by dropping the seed in drills with
several inches between each seed as
cotton stands when chopped out
and by sowing broadcast. 1t vas
found that the greatest yield in both
States came from the lands where
the seed was planted in drills, the
seed several inches apart, although
the yields where the grain was
sown close together in drills or broad
cast yielded largely. But a good
variety of wheat was used and the
seed was very carefully selected.
DR.. Green, who has made the exper
iment and achieved the results to
which we refer in Delaware goes
through his fields and selects the
largest and best looking heads from
most thriving and vigorous stalks
while growing in the field and marks
them for seed when harvest comes.
From these he selects the finest and
largest grains which he plants. He
holds and has demonstrated that
by the proper seed selection and
the proper culture the capacity of
good soil for wheat production is
beyond ordinary conception. What
n man has done in the way of ex-
periments with seed another may do
with the same determination and
perseverance, and while he may not
attain as great he may attain cor
responding results. What we would
suggest in this connection is that
our clubs select some of their most
experienced, intelligent and thor
ough farmers and let each mark off
a small piece Of land and plant the
best seed he can find in one way an
other in another, and so on, each
keeping a record of the growth,
kind and quality of seed, mode Of
culture, character and quantity of
manure, yield &C., 50 as to compare
with the others for the benefit of
all. And SO with oats, corn &c.
Thus with little labor and little ex-
pense, when willing hands and will
ing heads are at work, a system of
practical experimenting may be
carried on which may prove Of meal
culable value to our farmers.