The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-10-05
THE \ GRICJJLTUJ L WORLD
INTERESTING SUBJECTS FOR THE
FARMER. #

/ =
INTERESTING SUBJECTS FOR THE
FARMER.
a Few Suggestions About Prepnr-
ing" for the Next Wheat Crop-The !,
Sting of n Bee-Dcstroyins Weeds
Various Farm Topics.
Present conditions do not offer much
eIcoura cement for the production of
large quantities Of wheat While it is
probable that prices will advance con-
siderably before another crop is ready
for market, it does not seem reasonable
to suppose that very high rates will be
attained. Until prices advance there
will be comparatively little money made
by farmers in growing wheat. Those
who are in haste to be rich will need to
try some other method if they accom-
plish their purpose. But the man who
is willing to give care and skill to the
work, and be satisfied with only lnoder-
ate returns, may safely give part Of his
land to the production of wheat. There
will be certain indirect benefits which
will help to make the crop profitable.
The low price Of wheat should not be
made an excuse for an imperfect prep
aration of the SOIL On the contrary, it
is a cogent reason why this work should
be done in the best possible manner
In order to meet low prices 4 large yield
is needed. This can only be secured by
means Of good management in every
thing pertaining to the production Of
the crop. Improved culture increases
the yield per acre and reduces the cost,
per bushel. If the quantity of wheat
grown in this country in year were
produced on two-thirds of the land that
is. now used for the purpose (and it
might easily be dOne), about 100000
acres could be given to other crops and
there would be a saving of seed grain
amounting to not less than 100000
bushels Besides land that is properly
fitted and fertiliZed for the production
of large crop Of wheat will be in much
better condition for growing the sue
ceeding crop than land on which the
work of preparation was sighted. So,
while at first glance, the low price of
wheat, both present and prospective,
may seem too small to warrant very
careful preparation Of the soil and the
liberal use of fertilizers, it is the one
thing that makes it essential that they
should not be sighted.
If land for wheat is poor, or is poorly
prepared, it will not be well stocked,
and what plants there are will make
only a slow growth and give but an in
different yield. Such results are never
pleasant, but they can be endured bet
ter when there is a. larger margin be-
tween the cost and the market price Of
the grain than there is at the present
time It is certain that the farmer who
is to grow wheat under the conditions
which now prevail should take every
known precaution to avoid ever a par
tial failure of the crop.
The choice of seed should always re-
ceiye careful attention. Upon this the
success or failure of the crop will large
ly depend. The choice should have re-
spect not only to the quality Of the
seed, which should be the best obtain
able, but should also include the. yarie
ty. The best sort for one locality may
not be the best for another section.
Therefore, while it is best to expert
ment on small scale with new kinds,
it will be best to make the main sowing
with 4 variety that is known to be
pretty we'll adapted to the soil and eli
mate in which it is to be grown, and
for which there is a ready market.
It is also important to choose the best
land that is available for the crop and
make it ready in time to admit of rea-
sonably early sowing. Late sowing
would endanger the crop and involve
q risk which under the conditions that
now exist ought not to be incurred.
Curiosities of Cross Fertilization.
Natures peculiar way: Of developing
new species, cell it evolution o: Mat
ever you please, rske most inte.-
esting study. A farmer in Massachus-
etts recently fornd Victoria red cur
rant bush heavily loaded With fruit,
two clusters Of which were as pure
Nljte as any white currants that eyes:
grew. It was doubly interesting from
the fact that three clusters. two white
| and one red, all started from a singh,
bud or What was {, sir gle bud year
age.
He gees on to say in Our Grange
Homes. Many years ago when pick
| ing winter apples in Il Tree grated
partly to Baldwins and partly to Rox-
bury russets, I found a single tvig
bearing. both russets and Baldwins, or
what appeared to be such, judging by
the color. 1t was believed then by per-
! sons who saw the fruit that the mix
! ture' was caused by fertilization,
! the branches Of the two varieties being
much interlaced. ,s+.~
Ordinarily, however, such cross fer
! ti]ization affects only the seed, not the
fruit of the present year. I noticed, too,
that the apples when eaten showed
no variation in taste, but We're all one
variety. / presume the specimens were
simply "sports,..' if anybody knows just
what that term means. Some of our
choicest flow ers and orna mental shrubs
have originated in this way. A single
white rose may appear upon a red
rose bush, and the shoot being used rs
! cutting or scion for propagation q