Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-10-29

R1d. S.-sELF-sowN WHEAT. FOURTH CROP.
as to prevent their growth. Most agricui-
turists have had experience Of the conditions
mentioned, but We venture 10 assert that by
proper tilags and amendments the texture
OF the soil we have to deal with may be im-
proved its power Of holding water and sup
plying plant food increased, and then by
suitable manuring Is may be brought into
such condition as 20 yield bountiful returns
for all that Is expended on It.
In the accompanying diagram will be
found four plants OF wheat experlmentally
grown at Rothamsted by Sir ]. b. Lawes,
and having their roots exposed 10 show the
ramlhcation and development. Fig I re-
ceived no manure, and the seed being planted
IN poor soil the roots are consequently few
and feeble luxuriating chiefly near the sur
face, while Fig ?, which received a full manu-
rial supply, sent forth vigorous branching
roots, penetrating the coll in all directions to
absorb the nourishment provided.
From these facts we undoubtedly learn
that the more abundant the plant-iood the
better the roote are nourished and the more
they multiply and extend through the soil,
making the plants less dependent upon cli-
matte conditions and consequently the more
profitable is the crop return. While. on the
ether hand the roots which hnd insufficient
harvested is poor and meager.
We know from experience that all vegeta-
bic products require very careful attention 20
/ make them thrive and become profitable. IL
is also a significant fact that the more man Is
dependent upon a particular species OF plant
for his daily food, so much the more must
his attention be given 10 its proper cultiya-
ton. We know, further. that different plants
have very different capacities. by their roots
and leaves. OF gathering their supplies OF
food from soil and air. and 30 when grown IN
company with other plants. the stronger and
oftener the most Objectionable push out their
weaker brethren.
A few years ago, Sir j. b. Lawes, wishing
to see how crop Of wheat would succeed if
left entirely 70 ITSELF year after year "a
SOW its own seed, and without culture
TO combat with tho weeds. left 10 one
OF his experimental fields at Rotham.
stead about an acre IN wheat. which Il cut
and thrashed would have yielded ahoal
twenty-five 70 thirty bushels Of grain rel
acre. This crop was allowed 10 stand, ripen
fall and shed its seeds upon the ground The
usual quantity Of seed wheat sown Is from
two 20 three bushels per acre. bat here were
nearly thirty bushels Of seed left to grow AID
produce the next years crop. What was ths
resalt9 The arst year weeds and erase Be-
gan 70 smother the wheat and II harves,e1
only about ave bushels Of grain per Ac:'
would have been realized This VS.;
allowed 70 fan and seed TIE grouna
as before. The second season ane
so on. In each year following the rye
Der ef wheat plants became fewer and fewer
and their character became &C weak az.
grass.liks that Il was with aif3culty III
wheat scule BE- distinguished from the sur
rounding stems Of srnss This engraving
ng. 3. shows one Of the wheat plants col
leoted in the fourth year theS the srop hat
been left 70 shift for Itself, and shows how
greatly the wheat had Recommendations
Willis Supt Lawes and Gilberts Experimen
tai Farm, hothamsted, In American Agri
cuiturist