The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-12-13

In proof of this l will call attention to
where there has been farm road across
a plowed field in the fall or spring, or
even after seeding and before the wheat
comes up. This strip will usually have
twice as much wheat t-carlicr and better
In every respect-as the land one foot
from the edge Of the road. The road
was packed so hard that seeder hoes nor
harrow hoes could work it loose or mel
low, nor had the wheat any holes to fall
into and get covered deeply; in fact, if
the strip does not get extra work not
over one-half of the seed is covered at
all, and that which is covered has only.
from one eighth, One-quartet or ne-half
inch of soil over it; the one half that has
no covering mildews and rots in few
days, while the rest comes up, grows
most vigorously and gives big results
Hence it follows that any manipulation
of the whole field calculated to get as near
the conditions of the road bed, as Il seed
bed for the wheat. must he advantageous
The soil needs to he worked and packed
rs tightly rs possible before the sccdcr is
used, SO that the seed cannot and will
not get covered deeply, for it is the
kernuls that have c-half inch or less of
covering that make the big stools of
from five, nine to thirteen stalks and
heads from one grain Of seed and where
these large stools grow they choke off
as many more of other kernels that were
planted deeply, which come up weak and
spindling and never come to head. If
it is all stoolcd and spread with the usual
heavy seeding, the yield should be from
100 to 200 bushels per acre. Many
! farmers wish to SOW on broken, rough
ground so that the seed may fall in the
| holes and hollows and get covered
deeply to protect and help against
drouth, as they claim, but
there cannot bc a greater mis-
take. Sow or plant as shallow as posi-
| bic, and then us soon as it comes up it
makes Il rank growth and goes to stool
ing, because the kernel or grain is nearer
the top of the ground where it can spront
freely; as it makes TOP it will make roots
in proportion, and if you have done your
! part in the preparation Of the soil, na-
turc will take care OF the plant and see
that the roots go down, if necessary, to
gather moisture for strength and support
when the drouth comes. If any farmer
will take any well cultivated and har-
rowCd spot OF ground III the field or gar
den in the spring, scatter some wheat
thinly in row before him, cover it by
trcadnG it into the ground with his feet +,
getting about one half inch Of soil over it
in the operation, | am sure he will satisfy
himself that to raise good crop of wheat
ne wants il sown on smooth, solid soil
with light covering. This compact con-
dition of the soil is best secured by very
thorough narrowing in tn" fall, then the
heavy fall rains and the fall and spring
frccHings and thswintS hcip TO S"ttlc the
soil and make it solid, something like
the road spoken of. Then another good
hnrown% both ways in tn" spring before
the srcd is put on makes il more com.
pact, level and smooth, and all of thcS.
conditions are tn" same rs the road bed,
for non" OF thc seeds can get inio hole
aud hollows, but must keep near the top
of .hc ground. Have mos, Of it Gov.
cred, 40 matter how slightly.