Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-12-17

ask our correspondents to report a
few of the largest yields and the
kind of farming that produced such
results. Accordingly, about the LIST
of November we sent out a circular,
which we requested to be filled by
the farmer who grew the crop, and
to be certified to as correct.
| First. with but very few exeep-
tions, the ground was plowed quite
early, either in July or August, and
it was plowed deep. In most cases,
the harrow or drag follows close af-
ter the plow, to pack the soil before
it dries out. This is the first step,
and it is fundamental in wheat
growing. OF course it Goes not ap-
oil! to new soil.
Again, in cases where wheat was
sown in corn stalks. the corn had
been thoroughly cultivated and kept
clean of weeds, and in this way an
excellent seed bed is made, and the
conditions generally for a good
wheat crop could not well be I'M
proved.
l desire to call particular atten-
ton to the reports from Phillips
county. Three farmers report, and
each one says he summer-fallowed
in regular eastern style. Plowed
the ground in April, one says, 10
inches deep; another 8 inches; and
the third said, plowed in June 3
inches deep; then each gave it
shallow blowing in August, and all
with the same surprising results.
The first, from seven-eighths of a
bushel seed per acre, gets yield OF
465 bushels. The second, from
three-fourths of bushel, gets a
yield of All. The third, from /
bushels seed, gets yield Of A bush.
els per acre. By that method OF
farming, chances of failure are al
most wholly eliminated. Ii land
were not so wonderfully scarce IN
in this country, and we could afford
to leave it rest and indulge little
in sporting occasionally, it would
, work so much better VIXEN asked,
that our net profits in farming
would be increased.
The farmers days labor then
might be cut down from 10 hours
: to 10 hours, and by growing less,
farm products would be worth from
Is to 40 per cent more. This per.
sistent cropping year after year OF
, soil in this mighty empire of the
west, skimming the cream from the
soil, is the great agricultural crime
of the age, and we are suffering the
penalty in low prices and in ex-
hausted soils which in time are sure
to come.
The farmer holds in his hand the
: dagger which, if properly welded
he can plunge into the hearts OF the
!, hated bears, who, he claims. are con-
4 tinually despoiling his markets
I But this is a depression. Let us re.
D turn. Another thing worthy Of
: note in connection with large wheat
r Yields is the difference in the amount
: of seed sown per acre in different
sections of the state. In the eastern
half of the state, the quantity sown
k per acre is rarely less than l J bush
: els and frequently Il bushels; while
$ in the western half it is rarely Owe
y / bushel and most frequently thre'
!, pecks per acre. In the southwest,
y pecks per acre IS most common
t Three pecks are sown, not because
> farmers want to save seed, but be
If cause they have learned by expert
l. ence that it is no advantage, AM
NAV be detriment, to SOW more.
81 From this lesson we learn, tina
q no rule as to the quantity OF see'
It which should be sown to the acr
a can be laid down for all sections o
l. the state. This matter must be de
termined by the farmers in each sec
ton for themselves.
20 In like manner, it is true that n
= rule can be laid down as to the tim
~ when wheat should be sown. L
le the eastern half, September is tn
Id month usually preferred by farmers
to and for the reason that usually the
is have the best results from sowing
os that time. Whether early or lat
= in the month depends largely on tn
'e season and on the probability 9
ks damage from the Hessian fly. |
the western half Of our state, mos
wheat is sown in October, and niue
a. of it, in the last few years. in NJ
I'd vember, with very good results. BIZ
r it is nevertheless true that nearl
ut all the large wheat yields reporte
m the wheat was sown in Septemb'
- or early part of October. The farm'
~ finds, in all sections Of the stat
n that he must be governed largely