Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-05-09

In proof of this | will call attention to
where there has been Il farm road across
plowcd field in the fall or spring, or
even after seeding and before the wheat
comes up. This strip will usually have
twice as much whcat-earlier and better
III every respect--as tho land one foot
from the edge of tho road The road
was packed so hard that scodcr hoes nor
harrow hoes could work it loose or mol
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-hnlf of the seed is covered Mt
all, and that which is covered has only
from onc-cighth, onc-quartcr or one 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 1t follows that any manipulation
OF the whole field, calculated to get as near
the conditions of the road bed, us a seed
bed Tor tho wheat, must be advantageous.
Tho soil needs to be worked and packed
as tightly as possible before the secdcr is
used, so that the seed cannot and will
not get covered deeply, for il is tho
kernals that have onc-half inch or less of
covering that make the big stools of
from five, nine to Thrice stalks and
heads from one grain of seed; ttwhcrc
these large stools grow they choke of
us many more of other kernels that were
planted deeply, which come up weak and
spindling and never come to II head. Ii
it is all stooled and spread with the usual
heavy seeding, the yicld should be from
100 to 200 bushels per acre. Many
farmers wish to Row on broken, rough
ground, SD that the seed may fall in the
holes and hollows and get covered
deeply TO protect and help ayninst
drouth, NJ they claim, but
there cannot he greater mis-
take. Sow or plant rs shallow rs posi-
bic, and then as soon rs it comes up it
makes rank growth and goes to stool
ing, because the kernel or grain is nearer
the top of the ground where it can sproml
freely as it makes top it will make roots
in proportion, and if you have done your
part i'll tho preparation of the soil, ma
turc will take care OF the plant and see
that the roots so down, il necessary, to
gather moisture for strength and support
when the drouth comes. If any farmer
will take amy well cultivated and har-
rowcd spot of ground in the field or g,,r-
den in the spring, scatter some wheat
thinly in II row before him, cover il by
ircading it into the ground Will, his feet,
getting about onc-half inch of soil over il
in the operation, | am sure he will satisfy
himself Tint to raise II good 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 the fall and spring
frcczings and thawings help to settle the
soil and make ii solid, something like
the rond spoken Of. Then another good
narrowing both ways in the spring before
the seed is put on makes it more conf
pact, level and smooth, and all of these
conditions are the same MS the rond 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 coy
cred, no matter how slightly.