The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-01-14
WHEAT CULTURE.
A FEW CHAPTERS FROM PRACTI-
CAL FARuERS.
can be Dsne In this Line and Kew t. d II,
The Glsbe.Repsbliesn has lnterviswed
few Farmers en the Subject.


Three weeks ago We published in these
columns number of questions asked by
gentleman living in Illinois. in regard
| to wheat culture in Ford county. As was
stated at that time, the gentleman asking
the information is representative men,
Der of body of wealthy men of Illinois,
who own many thousands of acres of
land in the northern part of Ford coun-
ty and southern Hodgeman county, and
who intend engaging extensively in wheat
raising. 1t was for this purpose that the
questions were asked, and knowing full
we'll that if satisfactory answers could be
given it would result in incalculable good
to Ford county, the GLOBE-REPUBLIcAN
made general request of the farmers to
send in their experience.
After a week of waiting we were dis
appointed in not receiving any commune
cations, and it was then we set on foot a
movement which has been successful.
The farmers were visited at their homes,
and the several interviews which appear
below were given with absolute sincerity
and candor. Now the questions asked
applied entirely to raising wheat WITH
OUT irrigation, and as the land referred
to lies in the northern part of the county,
our interviews were confined solely to
citizens living in that immediate section.
Upon being Intercepted Mr.. S. NJ.
Holbrook said:
81 have raised wheat in southwestern
Kansas for five successive years, and see
no reason why wheat can not be grown
here successfully with proper care and
attention.
Following are the questions and Mr..
Holbrook's answers:
1. As rule how soon in the spring
can sod be broken, and how long before
it is too dry to break sod, or rather how
much of the year can breaking be done
to advantage?
Ans.-FrOm the middle of February
till the middle of June, with success, and
probably till July or August.
2. On spring and summer breaking
can wheat be sown the same fall with
reasonable expectations of success, in
getting a crop of wheat:
Ans.-Certainly, without doubt. be-
lieve the sod-if properly pulverized-
will yield almost as good as any.
8. Could steam power be profitably
used, with gang of plows, in breaking,
and then having the same power for
threshing:
Ans.-Certainly the same power will
do for both.
1. How would subsoiling do, say a
pillow to run in the furrow, after the sod
is turned, for the purpose of stirring up
and loosening the soil without throwing
it out, or on top of the sod; or would it
do to throw the ground from the sub
soiling pillow on top of the sod?
Ans.-It may do to loosen the soil be-
meath the sod, but it will not do to throw
it on top. Ispeak from experience.
5. In the lister drill, you spoke of, how
near can rows be put?
Ans.-Eight inches is the usual dis
lance for wheat.
6. Are there any flour mills in your
section? And if not. would it not be a
good investment. provided it is demon
strated that wheat can be depended on
as crop?
Ans.-There is a flour mill now in OPP
Grafton at Jetmore, county seat of Hodg-
man county. l believe that mill at
Dodge City and other points throughout
the country would be good investment.
LEST some may be misled by the fact
that Dodge City has no Touring mill, we
wish to say that up to less than year
ago one of the best equipped mills in
western Kansas was located at this place,
and that they were profitable has been
proven beyond doubt. The "Sunset
Roller Mills at this place were totally
destroyed by fire on the night of April
sth. 1890. and the loss fell heavily on Mr..
G. NJ. Hoover, the owner, and on the
people of the county generally.]
Z. How early in the season does the
wheat harvest come?
Ans.-Generally from the 10th to the
Goth of June, owing to variety of wheat
sown.
Mr.. Holbrook. about what time would
You suggest that wheat be sowns
II believe In sowing early, say about
the latter part of July or early in
August
About how deep do you put wheat in
the ground:
''All the way from one to three inches;
it does not do so we'll when it is very
Deep"
How much did your wheat yield per
acre in the five years you have sown?
& %1o~