Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-10-10
WALHALLA, s. G. {:
Growing Wheat.
[UIome and Farm.

can address ourselves to wheat grow
ing intelligently. Wheat generally
means winter wheat. Spring wheat
is only adapted to limited localities.
Winter wheat is biennial plant. 1t
requires parts of two years in reach
ing full maturity. 1t needs the fall
of one year for root development,
and the spring of another year for
seed development. AS root develop.
ment must come first this is the
most important part for us to look
after. If this if perfect, then there
may be full seed crop But if from
any cause the root development is
incomplete, the grain will be cut
short
We now see that the manner Of
sowing the grain is very important.
The root must have time and room
and food, or they will not reach full
growth. The time should be about
six months, and hence should begin as
early as practicable i'll fall, SO as to
reach the greatest possible growth
before mid-wntcr checks them, Sep
tember in most of this country would
be the best time, all things considered.
But local conditions often change
this The llessian fly must be con-
sldcrcd. II we SOW too early this
fly may cause great damage and
sometimes complete ruin. They
are much worse where there is grass
upon the land, and much less trouble
some after any crop that has required
clean culture. Hence it is often a
matter of great Importance what
crop to follow. Cotton gives the best
possible preparation for wheat. But
the cotton crop does not mature
early enough, hence may prefer to
follow corn. Peas are better. They
leave the soil in excellent condition
mechanically, and store away ammo
MA for the use Of the wheat a
clover sod is the best of all rotations.
Wheat roots desire to 90 down
four and onc-half to five feet in the
earth, seeking water and food. This
they will do if the hardpan is broken
thoroughly. Deep plowing and sub
soiling and repeated harrowings will
all pay The cultivation must be
done before sowing the seed. A
deep mellow root bed is of prime
Importance. If the soil bed is per
feet the danger from rust is almost
entirely avoided If to this deep
and thorough preparation we add
liberal use Of acid phosphate and
potash we have an ideal seed bed.
Various experiments show that this
is vital point in successful wheat
growing. In a bed thus prepared
the roots Of wheat sown in Scptcm-
Der and early part Of October reach
such wonderful development that
there is little danger Of winter kill
ing. The roots are so numerous,
deep and strong that Vncy will resist
successfully the power Of frost.
Again, the top will be 50 far adj
vanced as to furnish good cover
ing over the soil. This green cover
ing keeps the soil warm.
Wheat thus sown will have four
times the root development Of wheat
sown in November. For the South
this is matter of first Importance.
There is a great difference in The
yielding power Of different varieties
Of wheat. Rust is the great enemy.
Hence, rust proof variety should
be secured if possible. The furthc,
South we go, the greater danger
from rust At present the cred
Amber" and ''Turkish Red" seem to
be leaders along this line.
Too much care cannot be given to
this point. When ready to SOW, the
seed should we washed in very hot
water, or in solution Of blucstonc,
50 as to destroy smut, spores or
germs.
Sowing with drills seems to be
growing in favor. This helps to pro.
tcct the young plants against frost.
But we rather think the chief advan
tagc comes from the better prcpara
ton Of soil secured by this an, to-
gcthcr with greater uniio lity OF
depth Of covering Of the seed.
The manuring should be done
broadcast and thoroughly ncorpora-
ted with the soil by narrowing. The
chief point is TO secure as great SOlu-
bility rs practicable, SO as to render
prompt aid to the roots. Ammonia
is needed for promoting heal thy
growth. l'hs can generally be Sc
cured from peas or clover, or thor
ough culture and barnyard manurcs.
Acid phosphate is needed to i'.surc
heavy grain in the head, plump ana
full. Potash gives strength To the
stems and helps TO resist rust. It'll
gives a healthy tone TO the entire