The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-02
FARMS AND FARMERS
Short Talks With Men Who Guide
the Pillow.
Many Questions About the Farm, Answered
by DIR. w. L. Jones, Formerly of
the Southern Critiyator.
Wheat Sowing.

1t is time that preparation for wheat sowing
should begin, il not already under way. The
time has passed in Georgia and the older cotton
states when, without preparation Of land, the
seed can be scratched in and a good crop ex-
pected to follow. Such thing may happen
occasionally, but too seldom for reasonable
man to base expectations upon. Wheat is an
uncertain crop in our climate and if one pro-
poses to raise it every possible precaution
against failure should be taken. First, suita-
bic land should be selected. Rust, the great
enemy Of wheat, develops rapidly in wet
weather and in crops growing on wet soils.
Indeed, everything that favors sappiness in
wheat is conducive also to the appearance Of
rust. The first thing, then, in preparing land
for wheat crop is to select high, dry land,
with soil that does not remain water-sogged
after rain--what might be termed thirsty
soil. As humus makes a soil retain moisture,
its absence is rather desirable; old land, if dry
and well MANFRED. is most apt to make good
crop. For the same reason chat humus is
Objectionable in wheat land, deep breaking is
to be avoided lit makes the soil hold too much
water. a slope fully exposed to the early
morning sun is favorable, because in such sit
nations the dew will dry off rapidly. AS arule
clay soils are better adapted to wheat than
those that are sandy.
Tho most difficult matter to adjust is the
manuring of the crop Wheat is great nj
trogen consumer-it must have this substance
pretty freely; but on the other hand, large
doses OF heterogeneous manures induce succulence
or sappiness, and this, as we have already said,
fayors the development Of rust. One has to
choose between these two difficulties, and
probably the best that can be dono is to make
medium applications of heterogeneous matter.
On worn lands phosphates are very beneficial
to the wheat crop. Where one is not aiming
at very large yields from one to two hundred
pounds OF phosphate per acre may be applied,
say 100 pounds plowed in with the seed and
100 pounds applied as a top-dressng the latter
part of February. With the second 100 pounds
an equal weight OF kaint may be advanta-
geously applied. If the land is very poor
20 bushels of cotton seed or 200 pounds cotton
seed meal per acre may be plowed in OF seed
ing time. If in spring the wheat Is not as
green as it should be give it light dressing of
nitrate of soda, say rs pounds per acre. If the
land sown in wheat had been in peas the pre-
ceding summer no heterogeneous manure will
be needed; the pea roots, ETC., will
supply q sufficiency. When there is heavy
growth of peavines on the land these should be
turned under some time in advance of wheat
sowing, so that decomposition may be well
before the seed are sown and the soil
have an opportunity to regain its usual COM
pactness. A very loose soil is not favorable to
wheat. The surface soil should be brought
10 the finest filth before sowing, but should be
rolled after 1t, so as to compact the ground if
hard rains follow the sowing Immediately roll
ing will not be necessary Sow about the usual
time for a killing frost. w. l.. j.