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

In proof of this will call attention to
where there has been a farm road across
a plowed field in .he fall or spring, or
even after seeding and before the wheat
comes up. This strip will usually have
twice as much wheat-earlicr 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, il
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 oue-eighth, one-9uartef or one-half
inch of soil over it; the oue-half that has
no covering mildews and rots in few
days, while the rest comes up, grows
most vigorously and gives big results.
H"nce it follows that any manipulation
| of the whole field, calculated to get as near
the conditions of the road bed, as seed
bed for the wheat, must be advantageous.
The soil needs to be worked and packed
rs tightly as possible before the seedcr is
used, SO that the seed cannot and will
not get covered deeply, for it is the
kernals that have one-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 be greater mis-
take. Sow or plant as shallow as posi-
bic, and then rs soon as it comes up it
makes u rank growth and goes to stool
ing, because the kernel or grain is nearer
the top of the ground where it can spront
freely; rs it makes top it will make roots
in proportion, and if you have done your
part in the preparation of the soil, ma
turc will take care OF the plant and see
that the roots 60 down, if necessary, to
gather moisture for strength aud support
when the drouth comes If any farmer
will take any well cultivated and har-
rowcd spot of ground in the field or gar
den in the spring, scatter some wheat
thinly in row before him, cover it by
treading 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 agood crop of wheat
he wants it sown on smooth, solid soil,
with light covering. This compact con-
dition of the soil is best secured by very
thorough narrowing in the fall, then the
heavy fall rains and tho fall and spring
freczings and thawings help to settle the
soil and make it solid, something like
the road spoken of. Then another good
narrowing both ways in the spring before
the seed is put on makes it more com.
! pact, level and smooth, and all Of these
conditions are the same as the road bed,
for none Of the seeds can get into holes
and hollows, but must keep near the top
Of the ground. Have most of it Gov
cred, no matter how Slightly.